Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Email this article to a Colleague Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to My Articles & Searches Download to citation manager Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Articles by Cristiani, S. A. Articles by Bornstein, R. A. Search for Related Content PubMed Citation Articles by Cristiani, S. A. Articles by Bornstein, R. A. AIDS/HIV Addictive Disorders (General) Cognition

Marijuana Use and Cognitive Function in HIV-Infected People

Received September 13, 2001; revised December 15, 2002; accepted January 13, 2003. From the Department of Psychiatry, Ohio State University College of Medicine and Public Health, Columbus, Ohio. Address correspondence to Dr. Bornstein, NeuroSciences Facility, 1670 Upham Drive, Suite 130, Columbus, Ohio 43210-1252; bornstein.1{at}osu.edu (E-mail).

The effect of marijuana use on cognitive function is controversial. Although marijuana use is common in HIV-infected individuals for recreational and medicinal purposes, there have been no studies of the impact of marijuana on cognitive function in these subjects. Marijuana also has known immunologic effects, which increases the relevance in HIV-infected patients. We examined the interaction of HIV disease-stage and marijuana use in 282 subjects, stratified by disease stage and frequency of marijuana use. After controlling for the effects of depression, anxiety, and alcohol use, a significant interaction was observed on an overall measure of cognitive impairment. The effect of marijuana use was greatest in subjects with symptomatic HIV infection. Further inspection suggested that this effect was due primarily to performance on memory tasks. These data suggest that although there is minimal impact of marijuana on uninfected individuals or those at early stages of HIV infection, there is a synergistic effect of HIV and marijuana use in patients with advanced HIV disease. This is consistent with other data suggesting that the subtle effects of some conditions may become more manifest in the setting of immunocompromise.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				I. B. Corless, T. Lindgren, W. Holzemer, L. Robinson, S. Moezzi, K. Kirksey, C. Coleman, Y.-F. Tsai, L. Sanzero Eller, M. J. Hamilton, et al. Marijuana Effectiveness as an HIV Self-Care Strategy Clin Nurs Res, May 1, 2009; 18(2): 172 - 193. [Abstract] [PDF]

				P. Papathanasopoulos, L. Messinis, E. Lyros, A. Kastellakis, and G. Panagis Multiple Sclerosis, Cannabinoids, and Cognition J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci, February 1, 2008; 20(1): 36 - 51. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Marijuana, HIV, and Cognition Journal Watch Psychiatry, October 21, 2004; 2004(1021): 6 - 6. [Full Text]

Get information about faster international access.

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2004 American Neuropsychiatric Association. All rights reserved.

Home | Search | Current Issue | Past Issues | Subscribe | All APPI Journals | Help | Contact Us