Regular cannabis use modulates the impact of HIV on the neural dynamics serving cognitive control

Abstract

Background: Cannabis use and HIV are independently associated with decrements in cognitive control. However, the combined effects of HIV and regular cannabis use on the brain circuitry serving higher-order cognition are unclear. Aims: Investigate the interaction between cannabis and HIV on neural interference effects during the flanker task and spontaneous activity in regions underlying higher-order cognition. Methods: The sample consisted of 100 participants, including people with HIV (PWH) who use cannabis, PWH who do not use cannabis, uninfected cannabis users, and uninfected nonusers. Participants underwent an interview regarding their substance use history and completed the Eriksen flanker task during magnetoencephalography (MEG). MEG data were imaged in the time–frequency domain and oscillatory maps depicting the neural flanker interference effect were probed for group differences. Voxel time series were then assessed for group-level differences in spontaneous activity. Results: Group differences in behavioral performance were identified along with group differences in theta and alpha neural interference responses in higher-order regions across the cortex, with nonusers with HIV generally exhibiting the most aberrant responses. Likewise, time series analyses indicated that nonusers with HIV also had significantly elevated spontaneous alpha activity in the left inferior frontal and dorsolateral prefrontal cortices (dlPFC). Finally, we found that spontaneous and oscillatory alpha activity were significantly coupled in the inferior frontal cortex and dlPFC among cannabis users, but not nonusers. Conclusions: Regular cannabis use appears to suppress the impact of HIV on spontaneous and oscillatory alpha deficits in the left inferior frontal cortex and dlPFC.

Theta oscillatory dynamics serving cognitive control index psychosocial distress in youth

“…We observed stronger theta oscillations in the dlPFC and MCC during incongruent relative to congruent trials, which coincides with previous findings in adult and pediatric populations ( Miller and Cohen, 2001 ; McDermott et al, 2017 ; Taylor et al, 2021 ; Lew et al, 2018 , 2020 ; Embury et al, 2019 ; Schantell et al, 2022 ; Driver and Frackowiak, 2001 ; Jiang et al, 2017 ; Mazaheri et al, 2014 ; Saenz et al, 2002 ; Ochsner and Gross, 2005 ; Ochsner et al, 2009 ). The dlPFC has been frequently implicated in higher-order cognitive processes ( Amso and Scerif, 2015 ; Couperus, 2011 ; Pozuelos et al, 2014 ), and the MCC has been linked to performance monitoring and conflict signaling ( McDermott et al, 2017 ; Botvinick et al, 2004 ; Danckert et al, 2000 ).…”

“…Participants completed a 14-min arrow-based flanker task ( McDermott et al, 2017 ; Taylor et al, 2021 ; Lew et al, 2018 ; Wiesman and Wilson, 2020b ; Embury et al, 2019 ; Schantell et al, 2022 ). Briefly, each trial began with a fixation cross presented in the center of the screen for a jittered duration of 1450–1550 ms ( Fig.…”

Regular cannabis use alters the neural dynamics serving complex motor control

“…Thus, it follows that regular consumption of cannabis may lead to increased GABAergic transmission, which may be responsible for these stronger beta oscillations across multiple cortical regions serving motor control. These types of region‐specific oscillatory changes in chronic cannabis users have been demonstrated previously by our laboratory and others (Arif et al, 2021; Schantell et al, 2022; Springer et al, 2021; Weyrich et al, 2023), but our current findings are the first to extend this literature into motor‐related beta oscillations.…”

“…These types of region-specific oscillatory changes in chronic cannabis users have been demonstrated previously by our laboratory and others (Arif et al, 2021;Schantell et al, 2022;Springer et al, 2021;Weyrich et al, 2023), but our current findings are the first to extend this literature into motor-related beta oscillations.…”

Multispectral brain connectivity during visual attention distinguishes controlled from uncontrolled hypertension

“…Importantly for studies of hypertension, the measured signals are immune to neurovascular coupling changes and provide a direct measure of neural activity. These oscillations underlie a wide range of cognitive functions and have previously been used in a wide range of clinical populations, including HIV, substance use, diabetes and Alzheimer's (Arif et al, 2020;Embury et al, 2018;Lew et al, 2018;Lew et al, 2021;Schantell et al, 2022;Springer et al, 2022). Specifically, alpha and gamma oscillatory activity and connectivity are critical elements underlying successful selective attention processes, with the previous literature showing sensitivity of these neural responses to developmental, ageing and pathophysiological changes (Arif et al, 2023;Lew et al, 2018;McDermott et al, 2017;Proskovec et al, 2018;Son et al, 2023;Taylor et al, 2021;.…”