GPLD1 and exercise: helping thinking and brain health in older adults with HIV

GPLD1: Association with Cognition and Amelioration through Exercise in Aging People with HIV

NIH-funded research University of California, San Diego · NIH-11178327

Researchers will compare blood levels of the enzyme GPLD1 and physical activity (from Fitbits/accelerometers) with changes in thinking and brain-health markers in older adults living with HIV.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California, San Diego NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (La Jolla, United States)
Project IDNIH-11178327 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

If you join, researchers will measure GPLD1 in your blood and have you wear a Fitbit or accelerometer to track physical activity. About half of the 100 participants will take part in a supervised physical-activity program while the others continue usual care. Blood tests will also check inflammation, clotting, mitochondrial function, and markers of blood-vessel remodeling, and thinking skills will be tested before and after the activity period. The team will compare how GPLD1 and activity relate to changes in these biological markers and cognitive performance.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Adults aged 21 and older living with HIV who can wear an activity tracker and provide blood samples are the ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People under 21, those without HIV, or those unable to attend clinic visits, provide blood draws, or use activity trackers are unlikely to benefit from or be eligible for this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to ways to improve thinking and brain health in older people with HIV through tailored exercise programs or therapies that mimic GPLD1's effects.

How similar studies have performed: Animal and early laboratory studies suggest GPLD1 can reproduce exercise-linked brain benefits, but applying this approach to aging people with HIV is a new direction.

Where this research is happening

La Jolla, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome VirusAcquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Virus
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.