Understanding Brain Changes and Thinking Skills in Young Adults with HIV
Myelin Content and Cognitive Trajectories in Young Adults Living with Virally Suppressed HIV
This project looks at how brain changes, specifically in a part called myelin, might affect thinking and memory in young adults living with HIV who are on treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11139394 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many young adults with HIV, even when their virus is well-controlled by medication, still experience challenges with their thinking and memory. We want to understand why this happens by looking closely at a part of the brain called white matter, which contains myelin. Our team uses a special MRI scan to directly measure myelin in the brain. We will compare myelin levels and how they change over time in young adults with HIV to those without HIV, and see if these myelin changes are connected to how their thinking skills develop.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project is looking for young adults, aged 21 and older, who are living with virally suppressed HIV, as well as HIV-uninfected controls.
Not a fit: Patients who are not young adults or do not have virally suppressed HIV may not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help us better understand the causes of cognitive difficulties in people with HIV, potentially leading to new ways to help maintain brain health.
How similar studies have performed: While white matter injury has been observed in HIV, this project uses a novel MRI technique to directly measure myelin content, building on preliminary data from the research team.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- University of Washington — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Patel, Payal — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Patel, Payal
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.