The Authors’ Own Words: Lifetime Marijuana and Alcohol Use, and Cognitive Dysfunction in People with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

The Authors’ Own Words:

We ask authors to describe their impressions regarding the implications of their accepted work, how their findings will change practice, and what is noteworthy about the work.

Lifetime Marijuana and Alcohol Use, and Cognitive Dysfunction in People with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

Sara A. Lorkiewicz, MS; Alicia S. Ventura, MPH; Timothy C. Heeren, PhD; Michael R. Winter, MPH; Alexander Y. Walley, MD, MSc; Meg Sullivan, MD; Jeffrey H. Samet, MD, MA, MPH; & Richard Saitz, MD, MPH

Substance Abuse Vol. 39, Iss. 1, 2018

“Alcohol and other drug use are common among people with HIV infection. HIV can be neurotoxic, alcohol is a known neurotoxin and marijuana can alter brain metabolism and affect neuronal networks. In this study, although effects of alcohol use were not detected, current marijuana use was associated with cognitive dysfunction. The association is particularly important because people with HIV infection may already be susceptible to cognitive dysfunction, and such dysfunction could interfere with their self-care and quality of life.”