How HIV and cocaine use affect the blood-brain barrier
Official title: Immune mechanisms that shape the blood brain barrier in people living with HIV and cocaine use disorder
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11096032 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how using cocaine might affect the brain's protective barrier in people living with HIV, and how this could impact their thinking and memory.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,039,343 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA060568-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11096032 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living with HIV who have a history of cocaine use disorder.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have HIV or a history of cocaine use disorder may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of HIV and cocaine use on the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which protects the brain from harmful substances. It aims to understand how cocaine misuse can lead to BBB impairment in individuals living with HIV, potentially affecting their cognitive functions. The study will analyze the mechanisms by which HIV-infected immune cells and cocaine influence BBB integrity and the implications for brain health. By examining specific immune cell types and their behavior, the research seeks to uncover the links between substance use and neurological complications in this population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for cognitive impairments in people living with HIV who also struggle with cocaine use disorder.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding the interactions between substance use and immune responses can lead to significant advancements in treating related neurological conditions.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Veenhuis, Rebecca Terilli — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Veenhuis, Rebecca Terilli
Related research
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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.