Implication of endogenous morphine in the communication between neuroendocrine and immune systems

Drugs of abuse and HIV--a perspective

HIV and drugs of abuse have each been implicated as promoters of human organ specific diseases which include the heart, kidney, lung, CNS etc. Whether the drugs of abuse directly and/or indirectly increase the susceptibility of HIV-1-induced pathology and whether the drugs of abuse and HIV effects are cumulative and/or synergistic remain to be established. The scope of the studies that are needed to address this issue and the limitations inherent in such studies are summarized below.