NIH-funded research R01 grant

Personalized probiotic strategies to slow aging in people with HIV who misuse alcohol

Official title: Geroprotective Precision Medicine Strategies in PWH that Use Alcohol

Funded at Lsu Health Sciences Center · NIH-11421523 · Data updated 2026-11-12

A patient-friendly plan to test tailored probiotic and diet ideas to reduce aging-related health problems in people with HIV who have a history of heavy drinking.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionLsu Health Sciences Center
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New Orleans, United States)
Project startSeptember 25, 2025
Project endAugust 31, 2030
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$618,265
NIH project number5R01AA032764-02
Project IDNIH-11421523 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Adults with HIV who have a significant history of alcohol use and are at risk for geriatric frailty.

Less likely to help

Patients without HIV or without significant alcohol use history may not benefit from this specific plan.

What this research studies

This project aims to tailor probiotic and antioxidant-rich dietary approaches to slow aging and improve health in people with HIV who use alcohol. Researchers will combine information about a patient’s gut microbes, overall health, and alcohol history to craft personalized probiotic recommendations. The study builds on prior findings that gut bacteria and immune cell aging are linked to frailty, and tests whether individualized probiotic choices can help reduce aging-related health risks. By pursuing a precision-medicine style strategy, the team hopes to identify probiotic regimens that work best for different patient profiles. Outcomes may include measures of frailty, immune function, and quality of life.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive personalized probiotic-based plans to reduce aging-related health problems and improve well-being.

How similar studies have gone: Some studies in related areas suggest microbiota-based strategies can influence aging markers, but results with alcohol-using populations are mixed and require personalization.

Where this research is happening

  • Lsu Health Sciences Center
    New Orleans, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Welsh, David a — Lsu Health Sciences Center
  • Study coordinator: Welsh, David a

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.