How methamphetamine and immune signals affect the brain in people with HIV
Official title: Molecular Pathways of Innate Immunity and Substance Abuse in NeuroHIV
Funded at Rush University Medical Center · NIH-11364824 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tests whether methamphetamine together with HIV turns on a specific immune alarm pathway (cGAS/STING) in brain cells of people living with HIV who use methamphetamine.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rush University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $733,223 |
| NIH project number | 4R33DA058348-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11364824 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People living with HIV—particularly those who currently or recently use methamphetamine or who have HIV-associated neurocognitive symptoms—would be the most relevant candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People without HIV or without a history of methamphetamine use are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
Researchers will study brain immune cells called microglia and astrocytes to see how HIV and methamphetamine change their behavior. They will use lab-grown cells and animal models and measure gene activity and microscopy under realistic antiretroviral drug concentrations. The team will focus on the cGAS/STING innate immune pathway and the cellular crosstalk between HIV-infected and uninfected brain cells. Their work aims to explain why people with HIV who use meth often have ongoing brain inflammation and cognitive problems.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to reduce brain inflammation and cognitive problems in people living with HIV who use methamphetamine.
How similar studies have gone: Prior laboratory studies have linked the cGAS/STING pathway to brain inflammation, but applying this to the combined effects of HIV, methamphetamine, and real-world antiretroviral drug levels is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Rush University Medical Center
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Inacio Mamede, Joao Filipe — Rush University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Inacio Mamede, Joao Filipe
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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.