Understanding how HIV affects brain cells and causes cognitive issues
Official title: Mechanisms controlling HIV latency and pathogenesis in microglia
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-10748702 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how HIV hides in brain cells and affects thinking skills in people with HIV, using brain tissue samples and special lab-grown cells to better understand the virus's impact on brain function.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | August 14, 2023 |
| Project end | August 13, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $434,500 |
| NIH project number | 1R21MH134401-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10748702 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living with HIV who may experience cognitive challenges, even if their viral load is well-controlled.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not living with HIV or those who do not have any cognitive impairments related to HIV may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms by which HIV persists in brain cells called microglia and how it contributes to cognitive impairments in people living with HIV. By analyzing post-mortem brain tissue and creating microglia-like cells from stem cells, the study aims to uncover the genetic and epigenetic factors that regulate HIV latency and its effects on brain function. The researchers will employ advanced techniques to examine the interactions between the virus and the host's genetic material at a single-cell level, providing insights into the chronic immune responses triggered by HIV in the brain.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for cognitive impairments associated with HIV, enhancing the quality of life for affected individuals.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding HIV's impact on the brain, but this specific approach using single-cell technologies is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schlachetzki, Johannes Carolus Magnus — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Schlachetzki, Johannes Carolus Magnus
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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.