HIV Transgenic Rats Demonstrate Impaired Sensorimotor Gating But Are Insensitive to Cannabinoid (Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol)-Induced Deficits.
Benjamin Z Roberts, Arpi Minassian, Adam L. Halberstadt, Yinong V He, Muhammad Chatha, Mark A. Geyer, Igor Grant, Jared W Young
The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology November 12, 2021 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyab053 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Male and female HIV transgenic rats and wild-type controls |
| Interventions | THC Cannabidiol |
| Dose | THC 1 and 3 mg/kg, s.c.; Cannabidiol 1, 10, and 30 mg/kg, i.p. |
| Duration | Acute, nonconcurrent treatment |
| Topics | Cannabis CBD |
| Keywords | Hand Hiv Ppi |
| Key findings | HIV transgenic rats exhibited a prepulse inhibition deficit and were less sensitive than controls to THC's disruptive effects on prepulse inhibition. |
Abstract
HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) is commonly observed in persons living with HIV (PWH) and is characterized by cognitive deficits implicating disruptions of fronto-striatal neurocircuitry. Such circuitry is also susceptible to alteration by cannabis and other drugs of abuse. PWH use cannabis at much higher rates than the general population, thus prioritizing the characterization of any interactions between HIV and cannabinoids on cognitively relevant systems. Prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the startle response, the process by which the motor response to a startling stimulus is attenuated by perception of a preceding non-startling stimulus, is an operational assay of fronto-striatal circuit integrity that is translatable across species. PPI is reduced in PWH. The HIV transgenic (HIVtg) rat model of HIV infection mimics numerous aspects of HAND, although to date the PPI deficit observed in PWH has yet to be fully recreated in animals. PPI was measured in male and female HIVtg rats and wild-type controls following acute, nonconcurrent treatment with the primary constituents of cannabis: Δ 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC; 1 and 3 mg/kg, s.c.) and cannabidiol (1, 10, and 30 mg/kg, i.p.). HIVtg rats exhibited a significant PPI deficit relative to wild-type controls. THC reduced PPI in controls but not HIVtg rats. Cannabidiol exerted only minor, genotype-independent effects on PPI. HIVtg rats exhibit a relative insensitivity to the deleterious effects of THC on the fronto-striatal function reflected by PPI, which may partially explain the higher rates of cannabis use among PWH.
Comparable studies
Other preclinical and animal studies on cannabis, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- Effects of acute THC challenge on behavior and neuroinflammation in HIV-1 Tg26 mice vary based on HIV status, chronic THC history, and sex. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity May 1, 2026
- THC induced similar physiological effects on HIV transgenic rats and their controls without affecting HIV-induced deficits in effortful motivation. Journal of Cannabis Research January 2, 2026
- Beneficial and adverse effects of THC on cognition in the HIV-1 transgenic rat model: Importance of exploring task- and sex-dependent outcomes. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity April 1, 2025
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and 5 more in the library