Investigating how nicotine affects brain inflammation in people with HIV-1
Nicotine and NLRP3 Inflammasome in HIV-1-Associated CNS Inflammation
This study is looking at how smoking might affect brain inflammation and thinking skills in people with HIV-1, using samples from tonsils, brain tissue, and special lab-grown cells to see if nicotine makes things worse.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| 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 ID | NIH-11086711 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research explores the relationship between nicotine use and inflammation in the brains of individuals infected with HIV-1. It focuses on understanding how nicotine may activate the NLRP3 inflammasome, a key player in neuroinflammation, which could contribute to cognitive decline in people with HIV-1. The study will utilize human tonsil samples, induced pluripotent stem cell-derived microglia, and a specialized mouse model to track changes in inflammation. Additionally, it will analyze brain samples from deceased individuals to compare inflammation markers between smokers and non-smokers with HIV-1.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living with HIV-1 who also have a history of smoking.
Not a fit: Patients who are not infected with HIV-1 or do not have a history of smoking may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and potential treatments for cognitive decline in HIV-1 patients who smoke.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has indicated that targeting neuroinflammation may improve cognitive outcomes in HIV-1 patients, suggesting potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Swartz, Talia H — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Swartz, Talia H
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 below.