HIV, Substance Use, and Inflammation: Neuroimmune Mechanisms and Translational Insights

Substance use and HIV infection frequently coexist, creating multifaceted interactions that amplify immune activation, systemic and neuroinflammation, and neurobiological dysfunction. Chronic inflammation among people living with HIV (PLWH) contributes to neurocognitive impairment, cardiovascular and metabolic complications, and accelerated biological aging. Drugs of abuse—including opioids, stimulants, alcohol, and cannabinoids—can further exacerbate these effects through their impact on immune signaling, the gut–brain axis, and the central nervous system.

This special issue of Advances in Drug and Alcohol Research (ADAR) brings together multidisciplinary and translational research exploring the molecular, cellular, and systems-level mechanisms linking HIV, substance use, and inflammation. By integrating insights from addiction science, neuroimmunology, virology, microbiome research, and clinical translational medicine, this issue seeks to identify novel mechanisms, biomarkers, and therapeutic strategies that can mitigate inflammation-related comorbidities in affected populations.

We welcome manuscripts addressing—but not limited to—the following areas:
• Neuroimmune and inflammatory pathways mediating the combined effects of HIV and substance use
• Gut–brain axis and microbiome interactions influencing immune activation and neuropathology
• Molecular, genomic, proteomic, and metabolomic biomarkers of inflammation and viral persistence
• Cellular mechanisms of immune modulation and neuroinflammation in preclinical and clinical models
• Neurocognitive, psychiatric, and behavioral outcomes associated with inflammatory dysregulation
• Translational and clinical studies targeting inflammatory and immune-modulatory pathways
• Sex and gender differences, aging, and psychosocial or psychiatric comorbidities in the HIV–substance use context
• Public health, harm-reduction, and policy perspectives addressing inflammation-related comorbidities among people living with HIV and those with substance use disorders

Aligned with ADAR’s mission to foster international and interdisciplinary collaboration, this special issue invites contributions from basic scientists, clinicians, and translational researchers worldwide. Our collective goal is to advance understanding of the inflammatory mechanisms at the intersection of HIV and substance use and to inform innovative prevention and treatment strategies for this enduring global health challenge.

Article types and fees

This Special Issue accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Special Issue description:

• Book Review
• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Commentary
• Editorial
• Letter to the Editor
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Special Issue accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Special Issue description:

• Book Review
• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Commentary
• Editorial
• Letter to the Editor
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Review

Keywords: HIV, Substance Use, Inflammation, Neuroimmune Mechanisms, Microbiome, Addiction, Translational Research, Biomarkers, Therapeutics