How HIV and cannabis use affect brain function and inflammation
Official title: Impact of HIV and Cannabis Use on Executive Brain Function and Inflammation
Funded at Father Flanagan's Boys' Home · NIH-11190565 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how using cannabis might help improve thinking skills and reduce inflammation in the brains of people living with HIV, and it aims to find out if cannabis could be a helpful treatment for them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Father Flanagan's Boys' Home NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boys Town, United States) |
| Project start | April 11, 2025 |
| Project end | April 10, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $48,974 |
| NIH project number | 1F31DA063403-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11190565 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who are living with HIV and use cannabis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not use cannabis or are not living with HIV may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effects of cannabis use on executive brain function and inflammation in individuals living with HIV. It aims to understand how cannabis may help reduce neuroinflammation and improve cognitive abilities, particularly in areas critical for executive functioning. The study will utilize advanced techniques like magnetoencephalography (MEG) alongside neuropsychological assessments and blood tests to measure inflammation levels. By exploring these relationships, the research seeks to provide insights into potential therapeutic benefits of cannabis for people with HIV.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved cognitive function and quality of life for individuals living with HIV who use cannabis.
How similar studies have gone: While there is limited literature on this specific intersection, previous studies have shown promising results regarding cannabis's neuroprotective effects in other contexts.
Where this research is happening
-
Father Flanagan's Boys' Home
Boys Town, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcdonald, Kellen — Father Flanagan's Boys' Home
- Study coordinator: Mcdonald, Kellen
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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.