How a brain estrogen (17α‑estradiol) affects HIV-related thinking problems, especially with meth use
Official title: 17α-estradiol and sex-differences in HAND with methamphetamine
Funded at University of North Dakota · NIH-11142626 · Data updated 2026-11-12
The team will see if a brain form of estrogen called 17α‑estradiol changes neuron damage linked to thinking and memory problems in adults living with HIV, particularly when methamphetamine is involved and across sexes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of North Dakota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Grand Forks, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $444,498 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA059280-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11142626 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants would be adults living with HIV, especially those with a history of methamphetamine use or who are willing to provide clinical information or biospecimens for research, with inclusion of both women and men.
✕Less likely to help
People without HIV or without relevance to methamphetamine exposure are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
You would hear that scientists are looking at how a brain form of estrogen interacts with HIV proteins, HIV drugs, and methamphetamine to cause or prevent damage to nerve cell connections that underlie thinking and memory. They study tiny cell compartments called endolysosomes to understand how these combined exposures harm or protect neurons. The researchers compare effects between females and males to explain why women with HIV often have worse cognitive symptoms. Work uses lab-based models and may include analysis of human-derived samples when available to link lab findings to people.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to protect brain cells and guide treatments or prevention strategies to reduce HIV-associated thinking problems, especially for people who use methamphetamine.
How similar studies have gone: Prior lab and animal studies suggest estrogens can protect neurons, but focusing on 17α‑estradiol, endolysosome mechanisms, and sex differences in the context of HIV plus methamphetamine is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Xuesong — University of North Dakota
- Study coordinator: Chen, Xuesong
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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.