A toxicologist at Michigan State University has received a 5 year grant for $2.4 million to further his studies on the role that marijuana plays in decreasing brain inflammation in HIV patients.
Norbert Kaminski has studied the effects of marijuana, or cannabis, since 1990. He received the funding from the National Institute of Health.
In previous research Kaminski learned that the chemical THC in marijuana acted as an anti-inflammatory agent and could slow down the mental decline that many HIV patients experience. The slowdown was caused in part by immune or white blood cells that are constantly being stimulated and can then migrate to the brain.
The grant will further his latest study on how white blood cells interact with astrocytes, brain cells that are associated with the central nervous system and are involved in the inflammation of nervous tissue in the body.
“The interaction between these cells may lead to even stronger inflammatory responses in the brain resulting in the release of proteins that can damage or destroy the neurons associated with cognitive function,” Kaminski said. “We want to know if the compounds in cannabis can reduce or even block this effect.”
To complete his project, Kaminski will take blood samples from many hundred HIV patients who will say if they have used medical marijuana or not.
Officials say that his work also could shed light on inflammation that occurs in other brain-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
