OHSU researchers explore link between gut, brain health for people with HIV

Researchers at OHSU received a $5.8 million, five-year grant from the National Institutes of Health to study how damage to the gastrointestinal tract may contribute to brain inflammation and cognitive decline in people living with HIV. Led by Afam Okoye, Ph.D. and Jacob Estes, Ph.D., the research will use both human tissue samples and nonhuman primate models to explore the connection between gut health and brain function, with the goal of identifying new therapies that reduce harmful inflammation while preserving immune function. The findings could improve understanding of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders and inform treatments that support healthy aging and brain health in people with HIV. Read more at the OHSU News story.