Understanding how HIV and opioid abuse affect the brain's immune system
Immune Network Dysregulation of the Central Nervous System with HIV Persistence and Opioid Abuse
This study looks at how HIV can still affect the brain even when treatment is working, especially in people who also struggle with opioid use, and it aims to find ways to help reduce brain-related problems for those living with both conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10469837 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the persistent effects of HIV in the brain, even when viral replication is suppressed by treatment. It focuses on how opioid abuse exacerbates inflammation and immune activation in the central nervous system (CNS), which can lead to neurological disorders. By utilizing advanced techniques like single-cell RNA sequencing, the study aims to identify the specific cellular responses involved in these processes. This understanding could help develop targeted therapies to reduce neurological complications in individuals living with HIV and opioid use disorder.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adults living with HIV who also have a history of opioid use.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have HIV or opioid use disorder may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments that mitigate neurological damage in patients with HIV and opioid use disorder.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding CNS immune responses in HIV, but this specific approach combining HIV and opioid abuse is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
New Haven, United States
- Yale University — New Haven, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhang, Le — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Zhang, Le
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.