Study Finds Cannabis Use Not Linked to Added Brain White Matter Abnormalities in People With HIV, May Reduce Burden

Cannabis use did not add to certain brain white matter abnormalities among people living with HIV and may potentially be associated with a lower burden, according to a new study published in the Journal of NeuroVirology.

Researchers from Wake Forest University School of Medicine examined 296 adults, dividing them into four roughly equal groups: 74 people without HIV who did not use cannabis, 73 cannabis consumers without HIV, 76 people with HIV who did not use cannabis and 73 people with HIV who used cannabis. All participants with HIV had sustained viral suppression.

Participants underwent MRI scans to measure white matter hyperintensities, abnormalities in the brain’s white matter that have been associated with vascular disease and cognitive decline. Researchers also administered a battery of cognitive tests.

Periventricular white matter abnormalities were elevated among both the HIV-only and cannabis-only groups compared with controls. However, people who had HIV and used cannabis had levels similar to the control group. The interaction remained after researchers accounted for factors including age, sex and cardiovascular disease risk.

Higher levels of the abnormalities were also associated with poorer overall cognitive performance, including executive function, memory, learning and working memory.

Researchers conclude by stating “Our findings suggest that cannabis use does not contribute additively to white matter hyperintensities burden in people living with HIV and may potentially be associated with a reduced white matter hyperintensities burden.”