Innate immune memory and brain inflammation in ART-treated HIV
Official title: Innate immune memory promotes neural damage in the ART suppressed HIV infected brain
Funded at Tulane University of Louisiana · NIH-11417346 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study at Tulane explores how the body's innate immune cells may remember previous HIV-related inflammation and impact brain health even when HIV is suppressed by ART.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Tulane University of Louisiana NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Orleans, United States) |
| Project start | September 9, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $403,787 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH131219-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11417346 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People living with HIV who are on ART and may be at risk for HIV-related neuroinflammation.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without HIV infection or those not on ART are unlikely to benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This project examines how microglia and other brain immune cells change in response to HIV and ART, potentially becoming primed for more damage after future inflammatory events. Researchers will look at pathways involving sphingomyelinase and ceramide to understand how innate immune memory could drive neural injury. The goal is to uncover mechanisms that could explain persistent brain inflammation and identify targets to protect brain cells in people living with HIV on ART.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reveal new approaches to prevent or lessen brain inflammation and neurological complications in people living with HIV on ART.
How similar studies have gone: There is ongoing interest in innate immune memory and HIV-related neuroinflammation, with some evidence suggesting these pathways are relevant, though findings are still evolving.
Where this research is happening
-
Tulane University of Louisiana
New Orleans, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Haughey, Norman J — Tulane University of Louisiana
- Study coordinator: Haughey, Norman J
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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.