Understanding how cannabis use affects depression in young people living with HIV.
Official title: The Neural Underpinnings of Depression and Cannabis Use in Young PLWH
Funded at University of Miami School of Medicine · NIH-11047247 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how using cannabis might affect feelings of depression in young adults aged 18-34 who are living with HIV, and it aims to understand how this relates to the way the brain processes rewards and pain, which could help find better ways to treat depression.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Miami School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Coral Gables, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2021 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $709,068 |
| NIH project number | 7R01DA054885-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11047247 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are young adults aged 18-34 who are living with HIV and experiencing depression or cannabis use.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not living with HIV or who do not have issues related to depression or cannabis use may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between cannabis use and depression in young adults aged 18-34 who are living with HIV. It focuses on how reward and pain circuits in the brain are influenced by cannabis and how these factors contribute to depression. By using advanced imaging techniques, the study aims to identify the brain mechanisms involved in these conditions, which may help in developing better treatment strategies. Participants may undergo brain imaging and assessments to explore these connections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment options for depression and substance use in young people living with HIV.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the effects of cannabis on mental health, but this specific approach focusing on young adults with HIV is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Miami School of Medicine
Coral Gables, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gabbay, Vilma — University of Miami School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Gabbay, Vilma
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Understanding how cannabis use and genes change the brain to increase depression risk
A research project at Yale is exploring how cannabis use might change specific brain cells and genes, potentially making people more vulnerable to depression.
-
Advancing Pregnenolone as a Therapy for Cannabis Use Disorder with Depression
A study tests pregnenolone as a therapy for adults who have both cannabis use disorder and depression and aims to reduce cannabis use and improve mood.
-
How gene changes tied to cannabis use and depression affect the brain
This project looks for molecular changes in brain tissue from people with cannabis use disorder or major depression to link cannabis exposure with biological changes that may raise depression risk.
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How cannabis use affects brain changes linked to depression
This study is looking at how using cannabis might affect the brain and contribute to major depression, by comparing brain samples from people who use cannabis, those with depression, and those without any issues, to better understand the changes that happen in the brain.
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Understanding how depression and cannabis use affect brain circuits in young people with HIV
A study with young adults living with HIV looks at how depression and cannabis use relate to brain reward and pain circuits and how these changes might affect treatment adherence.
-
Understanding how cannabis use affects reward processing in depressed adolescents
This study is looking at how using cannabis might affect the way teenagers with depression experience rewards in their brains, and it's for young people who want to understand more about how these two issues are connected.
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.