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Ayoub SM, Holloway BM, Miranda AH, Roberts BZ, Young JW, Minassian A, Ellis RJ. The Impact of Cannabis Use on Cognition in People with HIV: Evidence of Function-Dependent Effects and Mechanisms from Clinical and Preclinical Studies. Curr HIV/AIDS Rep 2024; 21:87-115. [PMID: 38602558 PMCID: PMC11129923 DOI: 10.1007/s11904-024-00698-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
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). 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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha M Ayoub
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive MC 0804, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0804, USA.
| | - Breanna M Holloway
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive MC 0804, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0804, USA
| | - Alannah H Miranda
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive MC 0804, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0804, USA
| | - Benjamin Z Roberts
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive MC 0804, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0804, USA
| | - Jared W Young
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive MC 0804, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0804, USA
- Research Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Arpi Minassian
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive MC 0804, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0804, USA
- VA Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, Veterans Administration San Diego HealthCare System, 3350 La Jolla Village Drive, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Ronald J Ellis
- Department of Neuroscience, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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Rogers JM, Grant I, Marcondes MCG, Morgan EE, Cherner M, Ellis RJ, Letendre SL, Heaton RK, Iudicello JE. Cannabis use may attenuate neurocognitive performance deficits resulting from methamphetamine use disorder. J Int Neuropsychol Soc 2024; 30:84-93. [PMID: 37553288 PMCID: PMC10841263 DOI: 10.1017/s1355617723000292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Methamphetamine and cannabis are two widely used, and frequently co-used, substances with possibly opposing effects on the central nervous system. Evidence of neurocognitive deficits related to use is robust for methamphetamine and mixed for cannabis. Findings regarding their combined use are inconclusive. We aimed to compare neurocognitive performance in people with lifetime cannabis or methamphetamine use disorder diagnoses, or both, relative to people without substance use disorders. METHOD 423 (71.9% male, aged 44.6 ± 14.2 years) participants, stratified by presence or absence of lifetime methamphetamine (M-/M+) and/or cannabis (C-/C+) DSM-IV abuse/dependence, completed a comprehensive neuropsychological, substance use, and psychiatric assessment. Neurocognitive domain T-scores and impairment rates were examined using multiple linear and binomial regression, respectively, controlling for covariates that may impact cognition. RESULTS Globally, M+C+ performed worse than M-C- but better than M+C-. M+C+ outperformed M+C- on measures of verbal fluency, information processing speed, learning, memory, and working memory. M-C+ did not display lower performance than M-C- globally or on any domain measures, and M-C+ even performed better than M-C- on measures of learning, memory, and working memory. CONCLUSIONS Our findings are consistent with prior work showing that methamphetamine use confers risk for worse neurocognitive outcomes, and that cannabis use does not appear to exacerbate and may even reduce this risk. People with a history of cannabis use disorders performed similarly to our nonsubstance using comparison group and outperformed them in some domains. These findings warrant further investigation as to whether cannabis use may ameliorate methamphetamine neurotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey M. Rogers
- San Diego State University/University of California San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Igor Grant
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | | | - Erin E. Morgan
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Mariana Cherner
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Ronald J. Ellis
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Scott L. Letendre
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Robert K. Heaton
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
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Towe SL, Tang R, Gibson MJ, Zhang AR, Meade CS. Longitudinal changes in neurocognitive performance related to drug use intensity in a sample of persons with and without HIV who use illicit stimulants. Drug Alcohol Depend 2023; 251:110923. [PMID: 37598454 PMCID: PMC10538396 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.110923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Illicit stimulant use remains a public health concern that has been associated with multiple adverse outcomes, including cognitive deficits. The effects of stimulant use on cognition may be particularly deleterious in persons with HIV. Stimulant use intensity may be an important factor in the magnitude of observed deficits over time. METHODS We completed neurocognitive testing in a sample of people who use stimulants with (n = 84) and without HIV (n = 123) at baseline and up to 4 follow-up time points over approximately 1 year. Participants reported on substance use at each visit, including frequency of use and stimulant dependence. Mixed effects models examined the relationship between stimulant-related factors and neurocognitive function over time. RESULTS Participants were mostly male (57%), African American (86%), and 47.41 years old on average. All participants actively used stimulants at enrollment and use remained prevalent throughout the follow-up period, with an average of ≥24 days of use in the past 90 days at all time points. Retention was excellent, with 86% completing all 4 follow-up assessments. Mixed effects models showed that stimulant dependence was associated with lower neurocognitive performance independent of HIV status (p = 0.002), whereas frequency of use had a greater negative impact on performance in participants with HIV compared to those without HIV (p = 0.045). CONCLUSIONS Our key finding is that stimulant-related factors are associated with neurocognitive performance over time, but in complex ways. These findings have important implications for harm reduction approaches, particularly those that target cognitive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheri L Towe
- Duke University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Durham, NC 27708, USA.
| | - Runshi Tang
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Statistics, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Matthew J Gibson
- Duke University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Anru R Zhang
- Duke University School of Medicine, Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Christina S Meade
- Duke University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Durham, NC 27708, USA
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Rogers JM, Iudicello JE, Marcondes MCG, Morgan EE, Cherner M, Ellis RJ, Letendre SL, Heaton RK, Grant I. The Combined Effects of Cannabis, Methamphetamine, and HIV on Neurocognition. Viruses 2023; 15:674. [PMID: 36992383 PMCID: PMC10058939 DOI: 10.3390/v15030674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Methamphetamine and cannabis are two widely used substances among people living with HIV (PLWH). Whereas methamphetamine use has been found to worsen HIV-associated neurocognitive impairment, the effects of combined cannabis and methamphetamine use disorder on neurocognition in PLWH are not understood. In the present study, we aimed to determine the influence of these substance use disorders on neurocognition in PLWH and to explore if methamphetamine-cannabis effects interacted with HIV status. METHOD AND PARTICIPANTS After completing a comprehensive neurobehavioral assessment, PLWH (n = 472) were stratified by lifetime methamphetamine (M-/M+) and cannabis (C-/C+) DSM-IV abuse/dependence disorder into four groups: M-C- (n = 187), M-C+ (n = 68), M+C-, (n = 82), and M+C+ (n = 135). Group differences in global and domain neurocognitive performances and impairment were examined using multiple linear and logistic regression, respectively, while holding constant other covariates that were associated with study groups and/or cognition. Data from participants without HIV (n = 423) were added, and mixed-effect models were used to examine possible interactions between HIV and substance use disorders on neurocognition. RESULTS Compared with M+C+, M+C- performed worse on measures of executive functions, learning, memory, and working memory and were more likely to be classified as impaired in those domains. M-C- performed better than M+C+ on measures of learning and memory but worse than M-C+ on measures of executive functions, learning, memory, and working memory. Detectable plasma HIV RNA and nadir CD4 < 200 were associated with lower overall neurocognitive performance, and these effects were greater for M+C+ compared with M-C-. CONCLUSIONS In PLWH, lifetime methamphetamine use disorder and both current and legacy markers of HIV disease severity are associated with worse neurocognitive outcomes. There was no evidence of an HIV × M+ interaction across groups, but neurocognition was most impacted by HIV among those with polysubstance use disorder (M+C+). Better performance by C+ groups is consistent with findings from preclinical studies that cannabis use may protect against methamphetamine's deleterious effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey M. Rogers
- San Diego State University/University of California San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego, CA 92120, USA
| | - Jennifer E. Iudicello
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | | | - Erin E. Morgan
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - Mariana Cherner
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - Ronald J. Ellis
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - Scott L. Letendre
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - Robert K. Heaton
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - Igor Grant
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
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Cody SL, Miller GH, Fazeli PL, Wang G, Li W, Goodin BR, Vance DE. Preventing Neurocognitive Decline in Adults Aging with HIV: Implications for Practice and Research. J Alzheimers Dis 2023; 95:753-768. [PMID: 37599532 DOI: 10.3233/jad-230203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
Mild to moderate forms of neurocognitive impairment persist among people living with HIV (PLWH), despite being virally suppressed on antiretroviral therapy. PLWH are disproportionally impacted by physiological and psychosocial comorbidities compared to those without HIV. As adults live longer with HIV, the neurocognitive burden of physiological and psychosocial stressors can impair everyday functioning and may contribute to the development of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. This article outlines neurocognitive consequences of everyday stressors in PLWH. While some lifestyle factors can exacerbate inflammatory processes and promote negative neurocognitive health, novel interventions including the use of cannabinoids may be neuroprotective for aging PLWH who are at risk for elevated levels of inflammation from comorbidities. Studies of integrated neurocognitive rehabilitation strategies targeting lifestyle factors are promising for improving neurocognitive health, and may over time, reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease in PLWH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shameka L Cody
- Capstone College of Nursing, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
| | - Gabe H Miller
- Department of Sociology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Pariya L Fazeli
- School of Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Ge Wang
- Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Burel R Goodin
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University Pain Center, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - David E Vance
- School of Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
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Sreeram S, Ye F, Garcia-Mesa Y, Nguyen K, El Sayed A, Leskov K, Karn J. The potential role of HIV-1 latency in promoting neuroinflammation and HIV-1-associated neurocognitive disorder. Trends Immunol 2022; 43:630-639. [PMID: 35840529 PMCID: PMC9339484 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2022.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Despite potent suppression of HIV-1 viral replication in the central nervous system (CNS) by antiretroviral therapy (ART), between 15% and 60% of HIV-1-infected patients receiving ART exhibit neuroinflammation and symptoms of HIV-1-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) - a significant unmet challenge. We propose that the emergence of HIV-1 from latency in microglia underlies both neuroinflammation in the CNS and the progression of HAND. Recent molecular studies of cellular silencing mechanisms of HIV-1 in microglia show that HIV-1 latency can be reversed both by proinflammatory cytokines and by signals from damaged neurons, potentially creating intermittent cycles of HIV-1 reactivation and silencing in the brain. We posit that anti-inflammatory agents that also block HIV-1 reactivation, such as nuclear receptor agonists, might provide new putative therapeutic avenues for the treatment of HAND.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheetal Sreeram
- Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology. Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Fengchun Ye
- Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology. Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Yoelvis Garcia-Mesa
- Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology. Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Kien Nguyen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology. Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Ahmed El Sayed
- Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology. Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Konstantin Leskov
- Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology. Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Jonathan Karn
- Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology. Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
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