MRI-guided ultrasound to clear HIV from the brain and support brain repair
MR-guided focused ultrasound to eradicate CNS viral reservoirs and promote neurogenesis in the HIV-infected brain
This project uses MRI-guided focused ultrasound to help long-acting HIV drugs and gene-editing tools reach and remove hidden HIV in the brain for people living with HIV, especially those with substance use disorders.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11326217 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team will use MRI-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) to open the blood-brain barrier briefly so therapies can get into the central nervous system. They plan to deliver long-acting slow-release antiretroviral drugs (LASER ART) and AAV-CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing agents aimed at removing integrated HIV DNA. Experiments will be done in HIV-humanized rodent models to measure drug and gene-delivery, whether viral reservoirs are cleared without rebound, and whether the ultrasound promotes new neuron growth or activates microglia. Findings will be used to optimize timing, dosing, and delivery before any future work in people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People living with HIV—particularly those with substance use disorders or signs of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder—would be the intended candidates if the approach moves to human testing.
Not a fit: People without HIV or whose infection shows no evidence of brain reservoirs are unlikely to benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce or eliminate HIV reservoirs in the brain and help prevent or improve HIV-associated cognitive problems.
How similar studies have performed: Similar combinations of long-acting ART, BBB opening, and CRISPR have shown promising results in rodent models but remain unproven and untested in humans.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- University of Maryland Baltimore — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chang, Linda — University of Maryland Baltimore
- Study coordinator: Chang, Linda
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.