Investigating the link between vitamin D, gut health, and dementia risk in older adults with chronic HIV.
Official title: Vitamin D and Gut Microbiota and Dementia Risk in Older Adults with Chronic HIV infection and Demographically Matched Community Controls
Funded at Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences · NIH-11136979 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how vitamin D and gut health might affect the risk of dementia in older adults with chronic HIV, to find ways to help prevent Alzheimer's and similar conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (East Lansing, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $717,977 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG087191-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11136979 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults aged 65 and above who are living with chronic HIV infection.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are younger than 65 or do not have chronic HIV infection may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores how vitamin D levels and gut microbiota may influence the risk of developing dementia in older adults, particularly those over 65 years old living with chronic HIV infection. The study aims to identify potential modifiable risk factors for Alzheimer's dementia and related disorders by examining the relationship between gut health and vitamin D deficiency. Participants will be monitored for changes in their gut microbiome and vitamin D levels, and how these factors correlate with cognitive health over time. The findings could lead to new strategies for preventing dementia in vulnerable populations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide insights into preventing or delaying the onset of dementia in older adults with chronic HIV infection.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated potential links between gut health, vitamin D levels, and cognitive decline, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences
East Lansing, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ezeamama, Amara E — Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Ezeamama, Amara E
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Vitamin D, gut bacteria and dementia risk in older adults with HIV
This work will look at whether low vitamin D and changes in gut bacteria are linked to higher dementia risk in older adults living with chronic HIV and similar community members.
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Vitamin D, gut bacteria, and dementia risk in older adults with HIV
This project looks at whether vitamin D levels and differences in gut bacteria are linked with dementia risk in older adults living with long-term HIV and in similar people without HIV.
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Gut bacteria, HIV, and alcohol: how microbes affect gut health in people with HIV
This NIH grant studies how alcohol use and HIV together affect the gut’s bacteria and barrier, exploring a possible way to reduce gut inflammation in people living with HIV.
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Alcohol, HIV, and gut bacteria: effects on gut inflammation
Looks at whether a safe prebiotic that boosts anti-inflammatory gut bacteria can help people with HIV who drink alcohol keep their gut lining healthy and lower inflammation.
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Investigating how gut bacteria and their products may influence dementia development in diverse populations
This study is looking at how the bacteria in our gut might affect brain health and the risk of developing Alzheimer's and other types of dementia, especially in diverse groups of people who might not get diagnosed or treated quickly.
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How alcohol use affects gut health in people with HIV
This study is looking at how drinking alcohol affects gut health and inflammation in people living with HIV, and it’s testing whether taking prebiotics can help improve gut health and reduce inflammation for those individuals.
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.