Investigating how HIV drugs cross the blood-brain barrier
Official title: Combining In Vitro and In Silico Models to Investigate Antiretroviral Drug Transport Across the Blood Brain Barrier for the Treatment of HIV-1 Infection in the Brain
Funded at University of Colorado · NIH-10838759 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how well certain HIV medications can get into the brain to fight the virus, with the goal of finding better ways to help people living with HIV-1.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boulder, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 18, 2023 |
| Project end | September 17, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $396,541 |
| NIH project number | 1R21MH132159-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10838759 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living with HIV-1 who may have neurological complications or concerns related to the virus.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not infected with HIV-1 or those whose HIV is well-controlled without neurological involvement may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) can effectively penetrate the blood-brain barrier to treat HIV-1 infection in the brain. By combining laboratory experiments and computer models, the study aims to uncover the interactions between ARVs and the components of the blood-brain barrier. This could lead to improved drug formulations that can better reach and eliminate HIV reservoirs in the brain, which are often resistant to treatment. The research seeks to identify the key properties of ARVs that influence their ability to cross this critical barrier.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for HIV-1 that target the brain, potentially reducing the viral reservoirs and improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding drug transport across the blood-brain barrier, but this specific approach combining in vitro and in silico models is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Colorado
Boulder, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hind, Laurel Erin — University of Colorado
- Study coordinator: Hind, Laurel Erin
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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.