11-04-2024 | Human Immunodeficiency Virus | Review
The Impact of Cannabis Use on Cognition in People with HIV: Evidence of Function-Dependent Effects and Mechanisms from Clinical and Preclinical Studies
Authors:
Samantha M. Ayoub, Breanna M. Holloway, Alannah H. Miranda, Benjamin Z. Roberts, Jared W. Young, Arpi Minassian, Ronald J. Ellis
Published in:
Current HIV/AIDS Reports
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Abstract
Purpose of Review
Cannabis may have beneficial anti-inflammatory effects in people with HIV (PWH); however, given this population’s high burden of persisting neurocognitive impairment (NCI), clinicians are concerned they may be particularly vulnerable to the deleterious effects of cannabis on cognition. Here, we present a systematic scoping review of clinical and preclinical studies evaluating the effects of cannabinoid exposure on cognition in HIV.
Recent Findings
Results revealed little evidence to support a harmful impact of cannabis use on cognition in HIV, with few eligible preclinical data existing. Furthermore, the beneficial/harmful effects of cannabis use observed on cognition were function-dependent and confounded by several factors (e.g., age, frequency of use).
Summary
Results are discussed alongside potential mechanisms of cannabis effects on cognition in HIV (e.g., anti-inflammatory), and considerations are outlined for screening PWH that may benefit from cannabis interventions. We further highlight the value of accelerating research discoveries in this area by utilizing translatable cross-species tasks to facilitate comparisons across human and animal work.