HIV Studies at the Mukerji Lab for Neuroinfectious Diseases
How HIV Affects the Brain
Even if HIV viral loads are undetectable, HIV-associated brain disorders and neuropathy still occur. Our research aims to understand how that happens, and how to prevent it.
Depression is a critical medical challenge that affects millions of people with HIV (PWH). Some people with depressive disorders do not respond to traditional antidepressant treatments. Our lab focuses on the interactions between the body and the brain by analyzing systemic networks altered in depression and disorders of cognition in people with HIV.
Learn about SOOTHE Trial, our ongoing clinical trial for people with HIV and depression.
Why It's Important to Participate in Research Studies
- Learn about your own health
- Help others who live with HIV
- Increase the research voice of underrepresented groups
- Be a part of something important and meaningful
- Help researchers learn more about HIV to discover future treatments and therapy
Brain, Body, and Gut
The Mukerji lab directs the neurological substudy of a Phase II randomized double-blind placebo-control trial on the Gut Barrier and Blood Vessel Inflammation in Individuals With and Without HIV with Principal Investigator Dr. Janet Lo, MD, MMSc. The goal is to determine the impact of gastrointestinal epithelial integrity on arterial inflammation and neurological outcomes in adults with and without HIV.
Trial participants undergo brain and body FDG-PET imaging, colonoscopies, depressive symptom inventory, and neuropsychological testing, immunological phenotyping, and metabolite profiling. The goal of these studies is to develop biomarkers for therapeutic targeting of depression and cognitive function in people with HIV. This study is funded by the National Institute of Health and Center for AIDS Research.
Partners
We are honored to collaborate with many other researchers and clinicians, with special thanks to Dana Gabuzda, MD and Janet Lo, MD.
Relevant Papers
Neurosteroids and Depression in PWH; Journal of Infectious Diseases 2020
Impact of ART on CSF Escape in PWH; Clinical Infectious Diseases 2018
Modeling Depression in Men with HIV infection and Cocaine Use; AIDS and Behavior 201See more at Harvard Catalyst
Support Our Work
Mass General Neuroinfectious Disease Research is on the cutting edge of scientific advancement. Your contributions can help us understand the complex interactions of HIV and the brain.