Investigating how narcotics affect HIV latency in the brain
Official title: HERV proteogenomics of narcotic-driven HIV latency
Funded at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NIH-10930847 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how using narcotics might affect the way HIV hides in the brain, especially in certain cells, and aims to find new ways to understand and treat HIV by examining how these drugs change the virus's behavior.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $722,475 |
| NIH project number | 5R61DA058294-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10930847 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals living with HIV who have a history of narcotic use and may be experiencing latency of the virus.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are HIV-negative or those who do not have a history of narcotic use may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how narcotic use influences HIV latency, particularly in the brain where the virus can hide in specific cells called microglia. The study aims to identify unique patterns of human endogenous retrovirus (HERV) expression that may play a role in HIV latency and how these patterns can be altered by narcotic treatment. By using a specialized reporter virus and advanced proteogenomic techniques, researchers will analyze the RNA and protein expressions related to HIV in latently infected cells. This approach could lead to the discovery of new markers for HIV latency, potentially improving treatment strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new methods for targeting and eliminating latent HIV reservoirs, improving treatment outcomes for patients with HIV.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of this research is novel, previous studies have shown promise in targeting HIV latency through various innovative methods.
Where this research is happening
-
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mulder, Lubbertus C — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Mulder, Lubbertus C
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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.