Project Grant K99DA065474

Grant Award Summary

Drexel University received a $143,110 Project Grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) under the Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs (CFDA 93.279), effective August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2028. The project, titled "Corticostriatal Glial and Peripheral Immune Mechanisms of Polysubstance Use and Associated Comorbidities," investigates the intersection of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and polysubstance use—specifically cocaine and opioid co-use—to identify novel cellular and immunological mechanisms underlying drug-seeking behavior and relapse. The research employs animal models to examine how HIV dysregulates reward learning and motivation in the striatum, with particular focus on the roles of microglia and astrocytes, as well as the independent and interactive effects of antiretroviral therapy and HIV infection on neuroimmune function.

The anticipated deliverables include scientific findings on corticostriatal neural circuit dysfunction and its relationship to impaired extinction learning and reward dysregulation in the context of HIV and polysubstance use. These research outputs are intended to identify targeted treatment targets for people living with HIV who use drugs, ultimately contributing to more effective intervention strategies for substance use disorders in this vulnerable population. The work addresses a critical public health gap, given the rising overdose crisis driven by synthetic opioid co-use and the limited understanding of how multiple drugs interact to exacerbate HIV-related neurocognitive impairment in patients on antiretroviral therapy.