Treating depression to improve gut, immune, and brain health in people with HIV
Treatment Research Investigating Depression Effects on Neuroimmune Targets (TRIDENT)
This project checks whether a targeted cognitive-behavioral therapy for depression can improve gut, immune, and brain-related health in people living with HIV who are on modern antiretroviral therapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Florida International University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Miami, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11171469 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join, you would be randomly assigned to receive an evidence-based Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Adherence and Depression (CBT-AD) or a control condition after a short run-in period. The trial plans to enroll 120 people with HIV who have depression and are taking an INSTI-based ART regimen with an undetectable viral load. Researchers will collect stool and blood samples and measure gut microbiome health, markers of gut barrier function and immune activation, and mood and cognitive measures over time. The goal is to see how reducing depression changes connections among the gut, immune system, and brain.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults living with HIV who have current depression, are on an INSTI-based ART regimen with an undetectable viral load, and can attend therapy and study visits.
Not a fit: People without HIV, people who are not experiencing depression, those not on an INSTI-based ART regimen, or those with a detectable viral load may not benefit from the findings or be eligible to participate.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to behavioral treatments that reduce inflammation and improve gut and mental health for people living with HIV.
How similar studies have performed: Cognitive-behavioral therapies have helped depression and medication adherence in people with HIV before, but using CBT-AD specifically to change microbiome and immune pathways in treated HIV is a new approach.
Where this research is happening
Miami, United States
- Florida International University — Miami, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Carrico, Adam Wayne — Florida International University
- Study coordinator: Carrico, Adam Wayne
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.