Investigating how changes in brain structure affect cocaine relapse in HIV-infected mice
Official title: Examination of epigenetic spatial architecture in the CNS as a method to understand cocaine relapse in ecoHIV infected mice
Funded at Drexel University · NIH-11031666 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how changes in the brains of mice with ecoHIV might affect their cravings for cocaine, using new imaging technology to take thousands of pictures of their brains, which could help us understand more about drug relapse in people living with HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Drexel University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $454,470 |
| NIH project number | 1R61DA061825-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11031666 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with a history of substance use disorders, particularly those who are also HIV-positive.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have a history of substance use disorders or are not infected with HIV may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the relationship between brain changes and cocaine relapse in mice infected with ecoHIV. By developing a new imaging technique, researchers will capture and analyze over 15,000 images from each animal's brain to study the spatial architecture of histone modifications. This approach utilizes advanced AI and machine learning to identify how these changes in gene expression may influence substance use disorders. The findings could provide insights into the mechanisms behind drug cravings and relapse, particularly in the context of HIV infection.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing relapse in individuals with substance use disorders, especially those living with HIV.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of this research is novel, previous studies have shown that understanding epigenetic changes can provide valuable insights into substance use disorders.
Where this research is happening
-
Drexel University
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Klase, Zachary Alan — Drexel University
- Study coordinator: Klase, Zachary Alan
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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.