Investigating how the immune system responds to HIV in the brain during treatment

Role Of Innate Immunity to NeuroHIV in the cART Era

NIH-funded research Rush University Medical Center · NIH-11084935

This study is looking at how the brain's immune system works in people with HIV/AIDS who have memory and thinking problems, and it wants to find out how their treatment affects brain cells to help improve their condition.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionRush University Medical Center NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chicago, United States)
Project IDNIH-11084935 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on understanding the role of innate immunity in the brain of individuals living with HIV/AIDS, particularly those experiencing neurocognitive disorders. It aims to explore how combination antiretroviral therapies (cART) affect the immune response in the brain, specifically looking at the activation of microglia and the signaling pathways involved. By examining the interactions between HIV-infected and non-infected brain cells, the study seeks to uncover the mechanisms behind chronic neuroinflammation that persists despite treatment. The findings could lead to new insights into managing neurocognitive disorders associated with HIV.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living with HIV/AIDS who are experiencing neurocognitive disorders.

Not a fit: Patients who are not living with HIV/AIDS or those without neurocognitive disorders may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for neurocognitive disorders in people living with HIV/AIDS.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promising results in understanding immune responses in HIV, but this specific approach focusing on the cGAS/STING pathway in the context of cART is relatively novel.

Where this research is happening

Chicago, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Acquired Immune Deficiency SyndromeAcquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome VirusAcquired Immunodeficiency SyndromeAcquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Virus
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.