Understanding pain caused by HIV medication, opioids, and the HIV virus
Cellular and circuitry mechanisms of NRTI-induced pain pathogenesis in the context of opioids and HIV
This research aims to understand why some HIV medications cause pain in people living with HIV, especially when combined with opioids or the HIV virus itself.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University New York Stony Brook NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stony Brook, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11369723 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many people living with HIV experience pain as a side effect of their life-saving combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), which significantly impacts their quality of life. This project focuses on a specific type of cART drug, nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), which are known to cause nerve pain. We want to uncover the exact ways these drugs lead to pain in the body's nerve circuits. Additionally, we will explore how exposure to opioids or a specific HIV protein (gp120) might make this pain worse, as these are common factors for people with HIV.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is relevant to people living with HIV who experience pain, particularly those on NRTI-based cART regimens, or who are also exposed to opioids.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have HIV or are not experiencing pain related to their antiretroviral therapy would not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new, targeted treatments to prevent or relieve chronic pain for people living with HIV who are taking antiretroviral medications.
How similar studies have performed: While the exact mechanisms are not fully understood, preliminary data from this team and others suggest that glial cell activation plays a role in pain caused by NRTIs, opioids, and HIV proteins.
Where this research is happening
Stony Brook, United States
- State University New York Stony Brook — Stony Brook, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tang, Shao-Jun — State University New York Stony Brook
- Study coordinator: Tang, Shao-Jun
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.