How HIV plus opioid use may cause brain changes tied to memory problems
Official title: pTau-related neuron and cognitive dysfunction in opioid-HIV comorbidity: Longitudinal and functional studies
Funded at Virginia Commonwealth University · NIH-11263737 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research tests whether abnormal Tau proteins (pTau) cause thinking and memory problems in people living with HIV who also use opioids.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Commonwealth University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richmond, United States) |
| Project start | April 15, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $697,583 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA060762-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11263737 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People living with HIV who currently use or recently used opioids and who are experiencing memory or thinking difficulties would be the most relevant population for this line of research.
✕Less likely to help
People without HIV, those who do not use opioids, or those whose cognitive problems are caused by unrelated conditions are unlikely to benefit directly from this specific work.
What this research studies
Researchers will use mouse models that mimic HIV-related brain changes and opioid exposure to see if abnormal Tau protein (pTau) builds up over time and disrupts neuron function. They will track memory and movement, record how neurons work in key brain regions like the hippocampus, and compare animals exposed to opioids with those that are not. The team will link these biological and behavioral findings to what is known from human autopsy and clinical observations to clarify whether pTau can drive the cognitive problems seen in people with HIV and opioid use.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to prevent or treat thinking and memory problems in people with HIV who use opioids.
How similar studies have gone: Previous autopsy studies and animal models have found pTau in HIV-affected and opioid-exposed brains, providing promising but not yet conclusive evidence that this pathway contributes to cognitive problems.
Where this research is happening
-
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Knapp, Pamela E — Virginia Commonwealth University
- Study coordinator: Knapp, Pamela E
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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.