How HIV affects brain development in adolescents
Official title: HIV and ART Disruptions in Glial Cell Lipid Metabolism and its Effect on Adolescent Myelination
Funded at Children's Hosp of Philadelphia · NIH-11071943 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how HIV and its treatment affect fat processing in brain cells of teenagers, aged 12 to 20, to better understand how these changes might impact brain health and thinking skills, with the hope of finding new ways to help.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Children's Hosp of Philadelphia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $84,592 |
| NIH project number | 5F32MH135724-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11071943 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 12-20 who are living with HIV and undergoing antiretroviral therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients outside the age range of 12-20 or those not living with HIV are unlikely to benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how HIV and antiretroviral therapy disrupt lipid metabolism in glial cells, which are crucial for the myelination process in the adolescent brain. By focusing on adolescents aged 12-20, the study aims to understand the mechanisms behind white matter pathologies linked to HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders. The approach includes analyzing how these factors influence myelin integrity and cognitive function, potentially leading to new therapeutic strategies. The research will involve laboratory studies to assess lipid metabolism in brain cells affected by HIV and treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved therapies that enhance brain health and cognitive function in adolescents living with HIV.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding the impact of HIV on brain health, but this specific focus on lipid metabolism in adolescents is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Children's Hosp of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jeffries, Marisa — Children's Hosp of Philadelphia
- Study coordinator: Jeffries, Marisa
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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.