Cannabis, HIV, and Brain Health
Cannabis and Pathogenic Mechanisms influencing Blood Brain Barrier Function in HIV
This project explores how cannabis use might affect brain health in people living with HIV, looking at both helpful and harmful effects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11097164 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Even with effective treatments, people with HIV can still experience brain complications like memory and thinking problems. We know that damage to the brain's protective barrier, inflammation, and issues with cell energy are often involved. Since many people with HIV use cannabis, this project will look at how different patterns of cannabis use might impact these brain health factors. We will study blood and spinal fluid samples from people with and without HIV, alongside advanced lab models, to understand if cannabis can protect the brain or cause harm.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this work would include people living with HIV and people without HIV, across a range of cannabis use patterns from never users to daily users.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have HIV or are not interested in understanding the effects of cannabis on brain health may not directly benefit from this particular research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help us understand how cannabis use affects brain health in people with HIV, potentially leading to better guidance or treatments for neurocognitive issues.
How similar studies have performed: Previous evidence from this research group and others suggests that cannabis may have protective effects on the blood-brain barrier by reducing inflammation, indicating a foundation for this work.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- University of California, San Diego — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Iudicello, Jennifer E — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Iudicello, Jennifer E
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.