How cannabinoids affect the brain’s protective barrier in people with HIV
Official title: Molecular effects of cannabinoids on the Blood Brain Barrier in HIV-infected brain
Funded at San Diego Biomedical Research Institute · NIH-11364256 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project studies how cannabis compounds influence the brain’s protective barrier in people living with HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | San Diego Biomedical Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Diego, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $809,164 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA059344-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11364256 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People living with HIV who might use cannabis and whose brain health could be affected by HIV-related BBB changes.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without HIV or those not impacted by HIV-related BBB disruption are unlikely to benefit from this research.
What this research studies
Researchers will explore how cannabinoids interact with HIV in the brain and how this changes the blood-brain barrier. They will look at how immune and brain cells respond to cannabis in the context of HIV and ART, using lab studies on human brain cells and relevant models. The goal is to understand mechanisms that could influence brain inflammation, virus activity, and drug delivery to the CNS. Findings could point to new ways to protect brain health in people with HIV who use cannabis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could clarify whether cannabis helps or harms brain protection in HIV, potentially guiding safer use and informing future treatments.
How similar studies have gone: Previous observations suggest context-dependent effects of cannabis on BBB, but the exact mechanisms in HIV are still being explored.
Where this research is happening
-
San Diego Biomedical Research Institute
San Diego, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Marcondes, Maria Cecilia Garibaldi — San Diego Biomedical Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Marcondes, Maria Cecilia Garibaldi
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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.