Investigating how HIV interacts with brain cells in people who have died suddenly
Official title: In situ spatial characterization of CNS HIV-host cellular interactions from victims of sudden death
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11031704 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how HIV affects the brain in people who have the virus and have sadly passed away, especially those who may have used methamphetamine, to better understand how the virus can cause inflammation and damage in the brain, which could help improve treatment options for those living with HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $491,836 |
| NIH project number | 1R61DA061826-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11031704 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have been diagnosed with HIV and have experienced sudden death, particularly those who were on antiretroviral therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not living with HIV or who have not experienced sudden death may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the interactions between HIV-infected cells and the central nervous system (CNS) in individuals living with HIV, particularly those who have experienced sudden death. By analyzing brain tissue samples from these individuals, the study aims to uncover how HIV persists in the CNS and contributes to inflammation and tissue damage, especially in the context of methamphetamine use. The research utilizes a unique cohort of postmortem samples from people with HIV who were on antiretroviral therapy, allowing for in-depth analysis of viral-host interactions in a controlled setting. This approach is crucial for advancing knowledge about HIV-related neuroinflammation and its implications for treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment strategies for neuroinflammation in people living with HIV.
How similar studies have gone: While research on HIV and the CNS is ongoing, this specific approach utilizing postmortem samples from a unique cohort is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
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University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Henrich, Timothy Jensen — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Henrich, Timothy Jensen
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.