Sex differences in how cannabis affects memory and brain health in older adults
Official title: Sex Differences in Risk of Cognitive Decline in Older Cannabis Users
Funded at Medical University of South Carolina · NIH-11404808 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at whether older men and women who regularly use cannabis experience different effects on memory and risk factors for Alzheimer's disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical University of South Carolina NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charleston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2002 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $256,238 |
| NIH project number | 5U54DA016511-24 |
| Project ID | NIH-11404808 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults aged 50-80 who use cannabis regularly and are interested in understanding how sex and hormones may influence brain health.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not using cannabis or outside the 50-80 age range may not benefit from these findings.
What this research studies
The project will recruit 200 adults aged 50–80 who regularly use cannabis and will compare cognitive performance and biological markers between men and women. Researchers will collect information on reproductive history, ovarian hormone levels, stress responses, and markers linked to ADRD risk. The study uses behavioral tests and biological samples to explore if sex and hormonal changes influence cannabis-related cognitive outcomes in later life. Findings could help tailor guidance for older adults regarding cannabis use and brain health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could inform sex-specific guidelines to reduce ADRD risk related to cannabis use in older adults.
How similar studies have gone: There is prior evidence of sex differences in cannabis effects in younger populations, but less is known about older adults; this study addresses a gap with novel age-focused data.
Where this research is happening
-
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcrae-Clark, Aimee L — Medical University of South Carolina
- Study coordinator: Mcrae-Clark, Aimee L
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Cannabis use and sex differences in memory and thinking for adults 50–80
This project looks at whether regular cannabis use affects memory and thinking differently in men and women aged 50 to 80.
-
Cannabis and Memory in Older Adults
This research looks at how cannabis use affects memory and brain health in older adults, especially concerning age-related memory changes and Alzheimer's disease.
-
How COVID-19 infection and genes may influence memory and dementia risk
This study looks at how getting COVID-19 and a person’s genes together affect the chance of developing memory problems and Alzheimer’s disease later in life.
-
NGF Metabolism as a biomarker for cognitive decline in familial Alzheimer's disease
Researchers are studying whether patterns in nerve growth factor pathways in blood and CSF can signal early, preclinical stages of Alzheimer's in people with genetic risk.
-
NGF metabolism as an early biomarker for cognitive decline in familial Alzheimer's disease
This project tests whether NGF pathway proteins in blood and CSF can signal early, preclinical changes in people with familial Alzheimer’s disease.
-
NGF Metabolic Dysfunction as a Marker of Cognitive Decline in Autosomal Dominant Alzheimer's Disease
This project looks at nerve growth factor pathways in people with a genetic form of Alzheimer's to see if blood and spinal fluid markers can identify early brain changes before symptoms appear.
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.