Oral Bacteria, Cannabis Use, and Thinking Skills in People with HIV
Official title: Investigating the effect of oral microbiome on cognition in HIV-infected chronic cannabis users
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11144391 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research explores how bacteria in the mouth, combined with cannabis use, might affect thinking and memory in people living with HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 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 | September 30, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $697,390 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA055523-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11144391 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be individuals living with HIV who are chronic cannabis users.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have HIV or do not use cannabis would likely not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
Many people with HIV use cannabis, and its impact on their thinking abilities and immune system is not fully understood, with reports varying widely. This project looks at specific bacteria in the mouth, like *Actinomyces species*, which are more common in chronic cannabis users and people with HIV. Researchers want to understand if these oral bacteria play a significant role in how HIV affects the brain and its thinking processes. They will study people with HIV who use cannabis and also use laboratory models to learn more about this connection.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding this connection could lead to new ways to protect or improve thinking skills for people with HIV who use cannabis.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific link between oral bacteria, cannabis, and cognition in HIV is a novel area, previous work has identified specific oral bacteria enriched in cannabis users and HIV-infected individuals.
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
Related research
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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.