Understanding brain development in children with HIV

Extension of a longitudinal cognitive and brain imaging study of early-treated perinatally HIV infected children through adolescence

NIH-funded research Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-10654622

This study looks at how starting HIV treatment early can help kids who were born with the virus develop their brains and thinking skills as they grow up, especially for those living in areas with fewer resources.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionMassachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project IDNIH-10654622 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how early treatment for HIV affects cognitive and brain development in children who were infected perinatally. By following these children into adolescence, the study aims to assess changes in brain structure and function over time. The researchers will use advanced brain imaging techniques alongside cognitive assessments to gather comprehensive data on the participants' neurodevelopment. This study is particularly focused on children from resource-limited settings, where the impact of HIV is most severe.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children and adolescents aged 0-20 who were perinatally infected with HIV and are receiving treatment.

Not a fit: Patients who were not infected with HIV or who were infected later in life may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and interventions for cognitive impairments in children living with HIV.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that longitudinal studies on neurodevelopment in HIV-infected populations can yield valuable insights, suggesting this approach has potential for success.

Where this research is happening

Boston, United States

Researchers

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 below.
Conditions Acquired Immune Deficiency SyndromeAcquired Immuno-Deficiency SyndromeAcquired Immunologic Deficiency SyndromeAcquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.