How heavy cannabis use may affect thinking and use of PrEP in young people

Heavy cannabis use, neurocognition and PrEP care engagement among young people

['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO · NIH-11390927

This project looks at whether heavy cannabis use changes young people's thinking, sexual behavior, and whether they start and stay on PrEP.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO (nih funded)
Locations1 site (CHICAGO, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11390927 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

You would be asked about your cannabis use, sexual behavior, and experiences with HIV prevention and PrEP, and complete thinking and decision-making tests that measure risk/reward and executive function. The team will combine these tests with surveys and clinic data from local health department HIV prevention programs on the South Side of Chicago. Researchers will analyze whether cannabis-related changes in brain function help explain lower HIV testing and gaps in starting or staying on PrEP. The goal is to link patterns of use and motivations for cannabis consumption to real-world PrEP engagement.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Young people who use cannabis heavily and are at risk for HIV or considering PrEP, particularly those reachable through South Side Chicago prevention programs, would be ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People who do not use cannabis, are not at risk for HIV, or live far outside the study area are unlikely to get direct benefit from participating.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the work could help tailor HIV prevention and PrEP support to young people who use cannabis heavily so they get more effective help to prevent HIV.

How similar studies have performed: Prior research links heavy cannabis use to higher HIV risk and to some cognitive changes, but using neurocognitive measures to explain PrEP engagement is a newer approach with limited prior proof.

Where this research is happening

CHICAGO, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Conditions: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Virus, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Virus

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.