Investigating how tau protein affects brain function in people with HIV and opioid use disorder
Official title: pTau-related neuron and cognitive dysfunction in opioid-HIV comorbidity: Longitudinal and functional studies
Funded at Virginia Commonwealth University · NIH-11067820 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a protein called tau might affect thinking and memory in people with HIV who also use opioids, to see if reducing tau could help improve their brain health and cognitive skills over time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Commonwealth University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richmond, United States) |
| Project start | April 15, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $697,583 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA060762-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11067820 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living with HIV who also have a diagnosis of opioid use disorder.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have HIV or opioid use disorder may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the relationship between abnormal tau protein and cognitive dysfunction in individuals living with HIV who also have opioid use disorder. It aims to clarify whether the accumulation of phosphorylated tau protein contributes to cognitive decline and neuron dysfunction in these patients. By conducting longitudinal and functional studies, the research will explore the effects of tau on brain health and cognitive abilities over time. The findings could help identify potential therapeutic targets for improving cognitive function in affected individuals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing or treating cognitive decline in patients with HIV and opioid use disorder.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that tau protein plays a significant role in cognitive disorders, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Knapp, Pamela E — Virginia Commonwealth University
- Study coordinator: Knapp, Pamela E
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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.