How lifetime stress affects cognitive aging in people with HIV, focusing on racial differences.
Official title: Effects of lifetime stress on cognitive aging in the context of HIV-infection: Identifying sources of racial disparities
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-10669456 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how stress throughout life affects thinking and memory in older adults with HIV, especially focusing on African Americans, to understand why they might face more challenges in these areas compared to European Americans.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | July 22, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2021 |
| Award (this year) | $411,867 |
| NIH project number | 7R01MH114761-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-10669456 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults aged 50 and above, both HIV-positive and HIV-negative, with a focus on those from African American and European American backgrounds.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are younger than 50 or do not have HIV may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how lifetime stress impacts cognitive aging in older adults living with HIV, particularly focusing on African Americans who may experience worse cognitive outcomes compared to their European American counterparts. The study will analyze cognitive function and brain structure changes over time in a group of 250 participants aged 50 and older, both with and without HIV. By examining the role of stress and inflammation, the research aims to uncover the underlying mechanisms contributing to racial disparities in cognitive health among individuals with HIV.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and interventions for cognitive decline in HIV-infected individuals, particularly among African Americans.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that stress and inflammation are linked to cognitive impairment, suggesting that this study's approach could yield valuable insights into cognitive aging in HIV-infected populations.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Thames, April D — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Thames, April D
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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.