Study to test CBD and THC in HIV-induced neurological disorder

A new study is set to inform the development of better therapies for HIV patients living. with neurocognitive disorders.

Researchers in the US have been awarded $3.5 million to investigate the effects of cannabinoids on HIV associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) over five years.

The research project, led by Professor Mahesh Mohan, D.V.M., Ph.D and his team at Texas Biomed, aims to evaluate whether THC and CBD alone or in combination can potentially alter DNA methylation – a biological process that can create a change in the expression of certain genes.

Using Indian rhesus macaques with Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) – the monkey equivalent of HIV – researchers will be able to study if changes in gene DNA methylation levels impact inflammation in the brain, which is the underlying cause of HAND.

Understanding these basic biological processes will allow scientists to create better therapeutic options. Researchers will also study whether JWH133, a synthetic cannabinoid (CB), affects DNA methylation and could serve as an alternate therapeutic intervention.

“We’re focusing on neuro-inflammation that affects the brain even in patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART). There are a few mechanisms that drive this inflammation, but we want to look at immune cells in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid at different stages of SIV infection,” said Dr. Mohan, principal investigator for the study.

“Cannabinoids have previously shown great promise for the treatment of neurological disorders; therefore, we want to see if it can exert therapeutic effects in HIV patients suffering from HAND.”

Three decades ago, AIDS was a devastating disease with no cure, and as a result, the manifestations were more acute. Due to the scientific advances made over time, including many that utilise nonhuman primate models of AIDS, clinicians now have the ability to treat many AIDS patients and increase their life-span.

However, this lays bare the more chronic effects of HIV infection, particularly those of the neurocognitive variety.

HAND is a major comorbidity that affects 50 percent of HIV infected patients who are on ART. The disorder affects brain function causing difficulties in attention, concentration, decision-making and memory. Dr. Mohan says evidence shows that neuro-inflammation persists in HIV patients on ART and is an important driver of HAND, but little is known about the molecular mechanisms behind the inflammation.

Separating the cells in blood, cerebrospinal fluid and brain gives researchers a closer look at the cellular changes leading to neuroinflammation.

In addition, these studies will utilise newly developed techniques at Texas Biomed to evaluate the impact of cannabinoids on cognitive function and neuroinflammation.

“We believe we will have some very interesting findings. Our study will add more mechanistic understanding for researchers regarding the factors behind HAND, and potentially lead to the development of more cannabinoid-based therapies,” Dr. Mohan added.

“Finding the best therapeutic approach whether it is a single drug, a combination cannabinoid regimen or a synthetic cannabinoid drug is important.”