Examining how chronic marijuana use affects inflammation and brain injury in HIV patients
Official title: Modeling the Effects of Chronic Marijuana Use on Neuroinflammation and HIV-related Neuronal Injury
Run by Wake Forest University Health Sciences · NCT04810858 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing how long-term marijuana use affects inflammation and brain health in people living with HIV.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 25 Years to 59 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 220 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Wake Forest University Health Sciences Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | cART, immunotherapy |
| Locations | 1 site (Winston-Salem, North Carolina) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | August 18, 2021 |
| Main results expected | May 31, 2027 |
| Study ends | May 31, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | March 31, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT04810858 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates include individuals with verified HIV status who are either current marijuana users or not using marijuana, and who are engaged in HIV care with a stable treatment regimen.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with a history of severe mental illness, serious neurological disorders, or those who have contraindications for MRI may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This study investigates the impact of chronic marijuana use on inflammation related to HIV and its effects on brain function. It employs a hypothesis-driven approach utilizing multimodal MRI, immune and cytokine profiling, and neuropsychological testing to explore the mechanisms by which cannabinoids may influence neurological disorders in individuals living with HIV. The goal is to better understand the relationship between cannabis use and neuroinflammation in this population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide insights into how marijuana use affects brain health in HIV patients, potentially guiding treatment strategies.
How similar studies have gone: While there is ongoing research into the effects of cannabinoids on neurological conditions, this specific approach focusing on HIV-related neuroinflammation is relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * verified HIV status * Current marijuana use (MJ+ groups only) * No current marijuana use (MJ- groups only) * current engagement in HIV care (HIV+ participants only) * receipt of cART as first-line of treatment (HIV+ participants only) * stable cART regimen (HIV+ participants only) * undetectable HIV RNA viral load for \>1 year (HIV+ participants only) Exclusion Criteria: * Lifetime abuse for any illicit drug other than marijuana * \<9th grade education; illiteracy or lack of fluency in English * history of moderate or severe head trauma * unstable or serious neurological disorders * severe mental illness * systemic autoimmune diseases * immunotherapy * MRI contraindications
Where it's running
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Biotech Place
Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Christina S Meade, PhD — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Christina S Meade, PhD
- Email: Christina.Meade@wfusm.edu
- Phone: 336-716-0695
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.