Improving drug delivery to the brain for treating neuroHIV
Official title: Ionic liquid-assisted drug delivery to brain reservoirs for treatment of neuroHIV
Funded at University of Mississippi · NIH-11121903 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new way to help HIV medications reach the brain better, especially the areas where the virus hides, by using special liquids to improve how tiny drug-carrying particles work, which could lead to better treatments for people living with HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Mississippi NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (University, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $436,969 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA056875-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11121903 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living with HIV who have neurological complications or are at risk of developing them.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not living with HIV or those whose condition does not involve the central nervous system may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the delivery of antiretroviral drugs to the brain, specifically targeting HIV reservoirs that current treatments cannot reach. By using biocompatible ionic liquids, the study aims to improve how nanoparticles carry these drugs to brain cells, particularly microglia. The approach involves tuning the properties of these ionic liquids to ensure effective targeting and delivery, which has shown promising results in preliminary animal studies. If successful, this method could lead to more effective treatments for HIV in the central nervous system.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a more effective treatment option for patients with HIV by ensuring that antiretroviral drugs reach the brain more efficiently.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in using targeted nanoparticle delivery systems for drug therapies, indicating that this approach has potential.
Where this research is happening
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University of Mississippi
University, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tanner, Eden — University of Mississippi
- Study coordinator: Tanner, Eden
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.