RURush University · Microbiology & Immunology
NeuroCognition Lab
Xiu-Ti Hu · Chicago, Illinois
Research Focus
Dr. Xiu-Ti Hu's lab at Rush University focuses on understanding how HIV and cocaine use affect brain function, particularly in relation to neurocognitive disorders. The research aims to unravel the complex interactions between chronic HIV treatment and cocaine addiction, exploring their combined effects on neuronal health and cognitive abilities. By using animal models, the lab investigates the underlying mechanisms that contribute to neuronal dysfunction and seeks to identify new therapeutic strategies for improving cognitive outcomes in people living with HIV.
HIVneurocognitive disorderscocaine addictionneural dysfunctionrat models
Research Aims
3AIM 01Investigate how chronic cART alters neuronal function in the medial prefrontal cortex during neuroHIV and cocaine abuse.
AIM 02Examine the interaction between neurons and astrocytes in the context of chronic cART and cocaine use.
AIM 03Determine the effects of calcium dysregulation on neuronal activity and cognitive behavior related to neuroHIV/cocaine exposure.
Skills the Lab Values
Animal modelsElectrophysiologyCell cultureImmunohistochemistryBehavioral assays
Output against the department
Publications71bottom 21% of dept.382nd of 486
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations4.3kbottom 34% of dept.323rd of 486
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.