Reducing inflammation to improve apathy and slowed movement in people with HIV
The Role of Inflammation in CNS Mechanisms of Anhedonia and Psychomotor Slowing in Depressed PWH as Determined using a Next Generation TNF Antagonist
This project looks at whether a new TNF-blocking drug can ease depression, loss of pleasure, and slowed thinking or movement in people living with HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10894842 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would join a study for people with HIV who have depression and signs of inflammation. Participants may receive a next-generation TNF antagonist medication, have blood tests for inflammatory markers like CRP and TNF, and undergo brain scans that look at reward and motor circuit connections. The team will measure changes in mood, motivation (anhedonia/apathy), and psychomotor speed before and after treatment to see if lowering inflammation helps. Study visits will take place at Emory and include clinical assessments, imaging, and lab tests.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults living with HIV who have clinical depression with prominent anhedonia or psychomotor slowing and evidence of elevated inflammation (for example, high CRP or inflammatory cytokines) would be the best fit.
Not a fit: People without inflammation-linked depression, those whose symptoms are due to other causes (such as medication side effects or unrelated neurological disease), or individuals who cannot safely take TNF-blocking drugs are less likely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce depression symptoms, improve motivation and processing speed, and offer a targeted option for inflammation-linked depression in people with HIV.
How similar studies have performed: Prior work in people without HIV has linked inflammation to mood and brain-circuit changes and showed some benefits from lowering inflammation or blocking TNF, but using a next-generation TNF antagonist in people with HIV is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Atlanta, United States
- Emory University — Atlanta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Felger, Jennifer C — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Felger, Jennifer C
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.