December 10, 2009

Calif. University Awarded $17M to Study Link Between HIV and Meth

The National Institute on Drug Abuse has awarded $17 million to University of California in San Diego’s (UCSD) School of Medicine to study the link between methamphetamine use and HIV/AIDS, City News Service reports.

The university said the money would help establish the Translational Methamphetamine AIDS Research Center. For five years, UCSD researchers will receive more than $3 million annually to examine the combined effects of methamphetamine and HIV on the central nervous system.

“Currently, the combined effects of meth and HIV are poorly understood,” said Igor Grant, MD, a professor of psychiatry at UCSD. “There is a converging HIV epidemic among young, gay habitual meth users, which suggests meth may be amplifying the effects of HIV.”

Researchers said chronic meth use might produce an inflammatory response in the brain, making users more susceptible to HIV. The drug also makes them less inhibited, reduces the sensation of pain and increases energy.

According to the university, more than a third of people who recently tested HIV positive in San Diego have used meth.

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Previous Comments:

Henry, NYC, 2009-12-15 10:45:58
I'm saddened to read about this blatant misallocation of research dollars. There are currently ~300 people on ADAP waiting lists! Does NIDA need to find an excuse to exist by supporting these useless studies? Is there graft involved or kickbacks? There have already been studies that detail what happens in the CNS with HIV/meth. Even if more could be learned, it should not be a top priority given great need in other areas of HIV treatment and research. This is shameful.

Eugene, Taipei, 2009-12-15 03:04:47
Why not use this precious 17M to sponsor therapeutic vaccine (for the future), instead of finding a unknown but less important past? What a waste of money!!

Rob C, Miami,FL, 2009-12-13 12:01:07
This is the stupidest thing I have ever heard of. Give the money to lobbyists that fight to lower drug prices. This is shameful. DUH!! You do meth your gonna have problems and maybe catch a disease This PISSED ME OFF! WHAT A WASTE OF MONEY!

Thomas, , 2009-12-11 11:07:15
UNBELIEVABLE! meth- drugs made from household chemicals put into a body with hiv- not rocket science, it harms your whole system so what would make anyone think that it does not amplify the hiv virus- 3M$ could help people get off meth. There are enough peolpe who have used meth who are positive you could test with the tests you use now without spending 3M$ a year-no wonder there is no money for prevention and treatment- meth has been around a LONG time-need to ctach up researchers-.....