Gut–brain treatments to help thinking and inflammation in people with HIV who drink heavily
Cognitive and Inflammation Targeted Gut-Brain Interventions in People Living with HIV who are High-Risk Alcohol Users
This project tests whether a mild skin-based nerve stimulation device and probiotic supplements can help thinking, brain inflammation, and gut health in adults living with HIV who drink at high-risk levels.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11163405 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join, researchers will try two non-invasive approaches — a mild device that stimulates a nerve through the skin (transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation) and daily probiotic pills — to see if they help thinking, brain health, inflammation, and the gut microbiome. You would complete cognitive tests and brain measurements and provide blood and stool samples so the team can track inflammation and changes in gut bacteria over time. The work focuses on adults living with HIV who are high-risk alcohol users and aims to better understand how signals between the gut and brain affect thinking and health. The goal is to learn whether these accessible treatments can reduce harmful inflammation and improve day-to-day functioning.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults living with HIV who currently drink at levels considered high-risk and who are willing to try a transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation device and probiotic supplements.
Not a fit: People without HIV, those who do not drink at high-risk levels, or individuals with medical reasons that prevent nerve stimulation or probiotic use likely would not benefit or may be ineligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these safe, non-invasive approaches could lower brain and systemic inflammation and improve thinking, daily functioning, and quality of life for people living with HIV who drink heavily.
How similar studies have performed: Some smaller trials of either vagal nerve stimulation or probiotics have shown promising effects on mood, inflammation, or cognition, but combining these treatments in people with HIV who drink heavily is novel and not yet proven.
Where this research is happening
Gainesville, United States
- University of Florida — Gainesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Porges, Eric — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Porges, Eric
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.