Role of brain cell ferritinophagy in HIV and cocaine-related brain inflammation
Official title: Role of microglial ferritinophagy in HIV and cocaine-mediated neuroinflammation
Funded at University of Nebraska Medical Center · NIH-11411712 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project explores how a brain-cleanup process called ferritinophagy in microglia may be disrupted by HIV, cocaine, and their combination, potentially fueling inflammation and cognitive problems in people living with HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Nebraska Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Omaha, United States) |
| Project start | May 15, 2026 |
| Project end | February 28, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $544,256 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DA065476-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11411712 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People living with HIV who may experience neurocognitive issues and have exposure to cocaine could be relevant for related future trials or sampling.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without HIV or without neurocognitive symptoms related to HIV are unlikely to directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
If you have HIV and are dealing with cognitive issues, this research looks at why the brain stays inflamed even when HIV is controlled with medication. Scientists are studying microglia, brain immune cells, and a specific iron-handling pathway called ferritinophagy to see how it goes wrong in the context of HIV and cocaine use. The work combines lab studies with analyses that could point to new targets to reduce brain inflammation and protect thinking skills. The study aims to show whether correcting ferritinophagy could lessen neuroinflammation and neuronal injury in affected individuals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could lead to new ways to reduce brain inflammation and protect cognitive function in people with HIV, especially those who use cocaine.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data suggest that ferritinophagy and lysosomal function impact neuroinflammation, but the exact role in HIV/cocaine contexts is being explored.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Buch, Shilpa J — University of Nebraska Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Buch, Shilpa J
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.