Impact of fatty liver disease on brain function in people with HIV
Official title: Impact of NAFLD on Metabolic Brain Function via CEST MRI in HIV-Positive Individuals
Funded at University of Rochester · NIH-11364168 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study in people living with HIV will look at how having fatty liver disease may be linked to brain health and memory, using advanced brain imaging.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project start | July 8, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $539,000 |
| NIH project number | 5DP1DK139798-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11364168 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults living with HIV, with and without NAFLD, who can undergo MRI scans and cognitive testing.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without HIV or NAFLD, or those unable to complete MRI and cognitive assessments, may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project uses cutting-edge MRI to see if HIV plus NAFLD is tied to changes in brain metabolism, blood-brain barrier function, and microcirculation. A new deep learning MRI reconstruction method will be developed to get clearer images from rapid scans. By comparing HIV patients with and without NAFLD, the study aims to uncover brain changes that relate to cognitive health in older adults living with HIV.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help explain why some patients with HIV and NAFLD experience worse brain health and guide future therapies to protect cognition.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows links between HIV, metabolic factors, and brain changes, but this study combines NAFLD, advanced MRI, and deep learning reconstruction for a more comprehensive view.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Rochester
Rochester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Uddin, Md Nasir — University of Rochester
- Study coordinator: Uddin, Md Nasir
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Lipid signals that control acetyl-CoA and fat metabolism in NAFLD
A study exploring how membrane lipids influence acetyl-CoA metabolism to understand and potentially treat nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
-
Long-term study of NAFLD progression and gut bacteria in diverse groups
We’re following people over time to see how the gut microbiome and diet relate to fatty liver disease progression in diverse racial/ethnic groups.
-
Genetic and environmental risk for fatty liver cancer in Latinos (GENIAL)
A study to understand why Latino people with fatty liver disease might be more likely to develop liver cancer and to use genetic and environmental clues to predict who is at higher risk.
-
Toxic fats, vitamin B12 loss, and AHR may drive fatty liver disease
This grant looks at how certain environmental chemicals may trigger liver damage linked to fatty liver disease and how a vitamin found in the blood could be affected.
-
Role of cholesterol metabolism in toxin-driven liver disease
This grant explores how a liver toxin called TCDD affects cholesterol and fatty liver disease, and how a key enzyme (HMGCR) might change that risk in adults.
-
Small blood particle signals and fatty liver in children and teens
Researchers are looking at whether molecules carried in tiny blood particles can explain or signal fatty liver disease in children and adolescents with excess weight.
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.