Smoked medicinal cannabis for neuropathic pain in HIV: a randomized, crossover clinical trial.

Despite management with opioids and other pain modifying therapies, neuropathic pain continues to reduce the quality of life and daily functioning in HIV-infected individuals. Cannabinoid receptors in the central and peripheral nervous systems have been shown to modulate pain perception. We conducted a clinical trial to assess the impact of smoked cannabis on neuropathic pain in HIV.

Brief report: Characteristics of antidepressant use in patients with heart failure.

Background: Depression is common in heart failure (HF), but there is little data on the characteristics of antidepressant use in patients with HF.

Objective: To survey basic information on antidepressant prescription characteristics, use, effectiveness, and follow-up.

Methods: Observational study in two outpatient cardiology clinics of 37 NYHA class I-IV HF patients taking antidepressant medication.

Lithium improves HIV-associated neurocognitive impairment.

Objective: To determine the effects of low-dose oral lithium on the neuropsychological performance of individuals diagnosed with HIV-associated neurocognitive impairment.

Design And Methods: The project was a single-arm, open-label, 12-week pilot study at a university-based tertiary care center. The participants were adults who had been diagnosed with HIV-associated neurocognitive impairment and had been on stable antiretroviral therapy for at least 12 weeks.

Lopinavir concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid exceed the 50% inhibitory concentration for HIV.

Introduction: Lopinavir (LPV) is highly bound to plasma proteins and is a substrate for active drugs transporters, which may greatly limit the access of LPV to the central nervous system (CNS). However, even low lopinavir concentrations may be sufficient to inhibit HIV replication. Prior anecdotal reports indicated that lopinavir concentrations were below detection in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).