Molecular Pathways of Innate Immunity and Substance Abuse in NeuroHIV
Funded at Rush University Medical Center · NIH-11384793 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new project will explore how HIV and methamphetamine together cause brain inflammation, with the goal of understanding why some people living with HIV experience neurocognitive problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rush University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $730,221 |
| NIH project number | 5R33DA058348-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11384793 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with HIV who are taking combination antiretroviral therapy and who may be affected by methamphetamine exposure.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without HIV, without meth exposure, or not participating in models using human-relevant systems may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
This research looks at how innate immune signals in brain cells like microglia and astrocytes respond to HIV and methamphetamine exposure. It will study the cGAS/STING pathway and how brain cells communicate under realistic HIV treatment conditions. The work uses animal models and cell studies to map cellular interactions that may drive neuroinflammation in NeuroHIV. The findings could point to targets for therapies to reduce cognitive problems in people living with HIV who use meth. The project is conducted at Rush University Medical Center under a translational framework.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify new targets to reduce brain inflammation and improve cognitive function in people with HIV who abuse methamphetamine.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research supports a role for microglia-astrocyte signaling in neuroinflammation, but the specific cGAS/STING-related mechanisms in NeuroHIV with meth are still being explored.
Where this research is happening
-
Rush University Medical Center
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: I. Mamede, Joao — Rush University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: I. Mamede, Joao
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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.