# Longitudinal Trajectories of Physical and Cognitive Function among Persons Aging with HIV

> **NIH NIH R03** · NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $158,000

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY AND ABSTRACT
Older persons with HIV (PWH) experience high rates of cognitive impairment and accelerated declines in
function compared to the general population. These functional status declines have been associated with
significant morbidity and mortality in among PWH. Among the elderly in the general y population, longitudinal
dynamic relationships between physical and cognitive function have been identified. In PWH, cross-sectional
associations between impaired cognition and physical function have been previously noted, but longitudinal
trajectories of cognitive and physical function and how they are related have not been evaluated. Metformin has
shown promise as a senolytic agent. Clinical trials are underway to investigate use of metformin in preventing
age-related declines in among elderly adults without HIV. This proposal will investigate the longitudinal
relationship between cognitive and physical function in PWH and assess the potential impact of metformin use
on these trajectories. The proposed study will utilize data available from three large prospective, observational
cohorts of men and women with or at risk for HIV. This investigation will be the first to comprehensively examine
longitudinal associations between cognitive and physical function in a large group of PWH and assess the impact
of metformin therapy on these outcomes among PWH. Our findings will inform the focus and ideal timing of
interventions such as a formal interventional clinical trial of metformin use to prevent cognitive and physical
function declines among older PWH. Moreover, this proposal aligns with the GEMSSTAR program’s mission to
support a young investigator seeking to bridge aging and HIV research to improve care for older PWH.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10027657
- **Project number:** 1R03AG067980-01
- **Recipient organization:** NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Mary Clare Masters
- **Activity code:** R03 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $158,000
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-09-15 → 2022-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10027657

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10027657, Longitudinal Trajectories of Physical and Cognitive Function among Persons Aging with HIV (1R03AG067980-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10027657. Licensed CC0.

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