New Government-Funded Study Finds Cannabis May Treat Fragile X Syndrome
A new study published by the journal Behavioral Brain Research has found that cannabis may treat Fragile X syndrome, also known as Martin-Bell syndrome,
which is a “genetic condition that causes a range of developmental problems including learning disabilities and cognitive impairment”, according to the National Institute of Health which conducted and funded the study.
“Silencing the gene FMR1 in fragile X syndrome (FXS) with consequent loss of its protein product, FMRP, results in intellectual disability, hyperactivity, anxiety, seizure disorders, and autism-like behavior”, claims researchers. “In a mouse model of FXS, a deficit in performance on the passive avoidance test of learning and memory is a robust phenotype. We report that drugs acting on the endocannabinoid (eCB) system [such as cannabis] can improve performance on this test.”
Researchers conclude; “Our results indicate that the eCB system is involved in FXS and suggest that the eCB system is a promising target for treatment of FXS.”
The study was conducted by researchers at the National Institute of Health’s Section on Neuroadaptation and Protein Metabolism in Maryland.
Fragile X syndrome occurs in approximately 1 in 4,000 males and 1 in 8,000 females.
– TheJointBlog