Investigating how cannabis affects learning in mice with HIV
Official title: In vivo calcium imaging during appetitive learning in HIV Tat transgenic mice exposed to cannabis
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-10806213 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how cannabis affects learning and memory in mice that have been modified to show HIV proteins, helping us understand how cannabis might interact with brain changes related to HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | March 15, 2023 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $194,375 |
| NIH project number | 5R21DA057871-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10806213 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults living with HIV who are considering or currently using cannabis for symptom management.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have HIV or are not using cannabis may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the effects of cannabis on learning and memory in mice genetically modified to express HIV proteins. By using advanced calcium imaging techniques, the study aims to observe changes in neuronal activity during appetitive learning tasks. The focus is on understanding how HIV-related changes in the brain interact with cannabis use, particularly in areas associated with reward and cognitive function. This research could provide insights into the neurological impacts of cannabis in the context of HIV.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding of how cannabis affects cognitive function in people living with HIV, potentially guiding therapeutic use.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been research on cannabis use in HIV patients, this specific approach using in vivo calcium imaging during learning tasks is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fitting, Sylvia — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Fitting, Sylvia
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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.