Investigating how HIV medications affect hearing loss and mitochondrial damage
Official title: Ototoxicity-associated Mutations Following Antiretroviral Exposure
Funded at Portland VA Medical Center · NIH-11003678 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how HIV medications might affect hearing in people living with HIV, aiming to find out who might be more at risk for hearing loss and to discover safer treatment options.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Portland VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5IK2RX004275-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11003678 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living with HIV who are receiving antiretroviral therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not on antiretroviral therapy or do not have HIV may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the effects of antiretroviral therapy (ART) on hearing loss in individuals living with HIV. It aims to explore the relationship between mitochondrial DNA damage caused by these medications and auditory impairment. By identifying genetic and clinical markers, the study seeks to forecast which patients are at higher risk for hearing loss due to ART and to find effective alternatives to mitigate this risk. The research will involve statistical modeling and analysis of patient data to better understand these impacts.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing hearing loss in patients undergoing antiretroviral therapy.
How similar studies have gone: While preclinical studies have indicated potential risks, this research is novel as it aims to directly investigate these effects in humans.
Where this research is happening
-
Portland VA Medical Center
Portland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Debacker, James Riley — Portland VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Debacker, James Riley
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.