Award
National Institute on Drug Abuse 1R01DA065476-01A1
Role of microglial ferritinophagy in HIV and cocaine-mediated neuroinflammation
Recipient
University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
Award Amount
$544,256.00
Ceiling
$544,256.00
Awarded
May 13, 2026
Identifier
1R01DA065476-01A1
Research project funded by NIDA to investigate the disruption of ferritinophagy in brain immune cells caused by HIV, cART, and cocaine, and to test the therapeutic potential of the small molecule C381 to reduce neuroinflammation and cognitive decline in people living with HIV and stimulant use disorder.
Description
This project will study how HIV proteins, lifelong cART adherence, and cocaine misuse damage brain immune cells by disrupting ferritinophagy, which controls iron balance. By testing a new small molecule, C381, that restores healthy lysosome function, this research aims to identify a new treatment strategy to reduce brain inflammation and protect memory and thinking in people living with HIV who also use stimulants.