Investigating how HIV affects the human brain using brain tissue cultures
Official title: Adult human brain tissue cultures to study neuroHIV
Funded at Drexel University · NIH-10817140 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how HIV affects thinking and memory by using brain tissue from donors, and it aims to help find better treatments for people dealing with cognitive issues related to HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Drexel University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $189,375 |
| NIH project number | 5R21DA056309-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10817140 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 years old who are HIV-positive and experiencing cognitive impairments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are HIV-negative or do not have cognitive impairments related to HIV may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the effects of HIV on cognitive function by using human brain tissue cultures. By collaborating with neurosurgeons, the team will obtain normal human brain tissues and study how HIV interacts with these cells. They will isolate specific immune cells from donors, infect them with HIV, and observe the effects on brain cultures. This approach aims to create a more accurate model of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder, which could lead to better therapies for affected patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that improve cognitive function in patients living with HIV.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been extensive research on HIV and cognitive disorders, this specific approach using human brain tissue cultures is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Drexel University
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Meucci, Olimpia — Drexel University
- Study coordinator: Meucci, Olimpia
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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.