# Role of cannabis on HIV-related cognitive impairment:  a brain connectomics study

> **NIH NIH R01** · DUKE UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $679,784

## Abstract

Project Summary
 Despite widespread use of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), nearly half of HIV+ Americans will
experience HIV-related neurological comorbidities that negatively impact daily functioning and clinical
outcomes. Alterations in brain structure and function are consistently linked to HIV-associated neurocognitive
disorders (HAND), but the mechanisms through which HIV causes alterations in neural networks and
associated cognitive function are not well characterized. Marijuana use, which is disproportionately prevalent
among HIV+ persons, may increase the risk of HAND. Our preliminary work suggests that co-occurring
marijuana use and HIV infection intensifies dysfunction in major neural networks, including white matter
abnormalities and decoupling of functional activation patterns. Capitalizing on a strong foundation of
neurobehavioral research on drug addiction and HIV/AIDS by our multidisciplinary team, the proposed
research will apply connectomic analyses to achieve the following aims: (1) examine the independent and
interactive effects of HIV and marijuana on structural and functional organization of the brain; (2) investigate
the longitudinal relationship between network-level disruptions in brain organization and cognitive impairment;
and (3) use machine deep learning algorithms to develop individualized prediction models for HAND diagnosis
and severity based on multimodal graph features. Using a cross-lagged panel design, 200 adults stratified by
HIV and marijuana status (4 groups) will have multimodal MRIs and cognitive testing at baseline and 1 year
later. The central hypothesis is that marijuana use will exacerbate structural and functional disruptions in brain
organization that underlie the expression and progression of HAND. Our proposal responds directly to RFA-18-
610, which highlights the need for studies on “the underlying mechanisms whereby drugs of abuse and HIV
infection interact to impair CNS functions mediated through altered neuronal networks.” This research uses a
team science approach to address high priority topics for AIDS-designated funding, including neurological
complications [NOT-15-137]. Building upon a sound premise and robust preliminary data, this innovative
project has strong potential to identify appropriate neural biomarkers that may aid in the diagnosis and
monitoring of HAND in persons with chronic substance use disorders and serve as targets for novel clinical
interventions. In addition, our classification models are expected to provide a generalizable framework
applicable to individual patients for tailoring of treatment approaches.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9903280
- **Project number:** 5R01DA047149-03
- **Recipient organization:** DUKE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** CHRISTINA S MEADE
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $679,784
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-07-15 → 2024-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9903280

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9903280, Role of cannabis on HIV-related cognitive impairment:  a brain connectomics study (5R01DA047149-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9903280. Licensed CC0.

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