How cocaine changes brain cells and the blood-brain barrier in people with HIV
Official title: Single Cell Transcriptomics of the Cocaine Use Disorder in the Context of HIV
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11310161 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how cocaine use changes gene activity in different brain cells and the blood-brain barrier in people living with HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | June 15, 2022 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,599,188 |
| NIH project number | 5U01DA056006-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11310161 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults living with HIV, particularly those with a history of cocaine or stimulant use, who can provide clinical information or biospecimens.
✕Less likely to help
People without HIV, without a history of stimulant use, or those seeking immediate clinical care rather than research participation are unlikely to directly benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers will use single-cell gene profiling to see which genes are turned on or off in individual brain and blood-brain barrier cells. They will compare samples linked to people living with HIV who use cocaine versus those who do not to find patterns tied to inflammation and cognitive problems. The team will combine molecular data with clinical histories of HIV and substance use to connect cell-level changes with symptoms. Results are intended to point toward ways to protect brain cells and the blood-brain barrier in people with HIV.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify molecular targets and pathways to prevent or treat HIV-related cognitive problems worsened by cocaine use.
How similar studies have gone: Single-cell transcriptomics has begun to reveal cell-specific changes in brain diseases, but applying it to cocaine use in people with HIV is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cheng, Christine — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Cheng, Christine
Related research
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Understanding how early life stress and cocaine exposure shape brain and behavior in adults
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Psilocybin-Assisted ACT for Co-Occurring Cocaine Use Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder
A new treatment combines psilocybin with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help people who have both cocaine use disorder and major depressive disorder.
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Cholinergic Dysregulation and Cognitive Flexibility in Cocaine Use Disorder
A research study explores how cocaine changes brain signaling to affect flexible thinking and decision-making in people with cocaine use disorder.
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Oligonucleotide therapy to help cocaine use disorder reach the brain
A new ASO-based approach aims to deliver gene-targeting therapy across the blood–brain barrier to help people with cocaine use disorder.
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Accelerated TMS for Cocaine Use Disorder
A new, faster brain-stimulation treatment is being tested to help adults with cocaine use disorder reduce cravings and use.
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.