Study: Cannabis has Therapeutic Potential in the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease
Cannabis may provide a potential treatment option for those with Alzheimer’s disease, states a new study published by the journal Neurochemical Research.
“Here we demonstrate for the first time that cannabidiol (CBD) acts to protect synaptic plasticity in an in vitro model of Alzheimer’s disease (AD)”, begins the study’s abstract. “The non-psycho active component of Cannabis sativa, CBD has previously been shown to protect against the neurotoxic effects of beta amyloid peptide (Aβ) in cell culture and cognitive behavioural models of neurodegeneration. Hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) is an activity dependent increase in synaptic efficacy often used to study cellular mechanisms related to memory.”
Here, researchers “show that acute application of soluble oligomeric beta amyloid peptide (Aβ1-42) associated with AD, attenuates LTP in the CA1 region of hippocampal slices from C57Bl/6 mice. Application of CBD alone did not alter LTP, however pre-treatment of slices with CBD rescued the Aβ1-42 mediated deficit in LTP.” The study found “that the neuroprotective effects of CBD were not reversed by WAY100635, ZM241385 or AM251, demonstrating a lack of involvement of 5HT1A, adenosine (A2A) or Cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptors respectively. However in the presence of the PPARγ antagonist GW9662 the neuroprotective effect of CBD was prevented.”
Researchers conclude; “Our data suggests that this major component of Cannabis sativa, which lacks psychoactivity may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of AD.”
The full study can be found by clicking here.
This new research helps to validate a plethora of past studies which found that cannabinoids may treat, and may even prevent, Alzheimer’s disease. You can find information on some of these past studies by clicking here.
Pat
I have been using Cannabis for about 5 years for Mild Cognitive Impairment. My goal has been to slow down/stop the progress to Alzheimer’s. It is the “disease” on my Mother’s side. I have lost my Grandmother, probably my Great Grandmother (back then they called it “going insane”), my Mother, and also probably my Aunt (Mother’s Sister). She was a diabetic that didn’t take care of herself, but my Uncle was sure that she was having memory issues when she died. There were probably many more in my Mom’s family but again, they didn’t know what it was back then. Back to the Cannabis. It has been a “lifesaver”. My neurologist has been surprised at how slowly I am progressing. In the last six months, I have felt/seen a change, but it is not that bad. I might not have even noticed if I didn’t know what I was dealing with. I also became a Vegan as soon as I was diagnosed and I wish I had done that a long time ago because I love it. I take CBD (nonpsychoactive part of cannabis) twice a day, late morning and late afternoon and then take THC at night. I live in a medical marijuana state so I am able to get CBD and THC capsules so I do not have to smoke if I don’t want to. I also started exercising so much that I have destroyed my knees and need replacements, which I don’t want to do because of the anesthesia. Although, I could have an Epidural. Then you have to deal with pain medication after the surgery. Obviously, it is not excruciating, or I probably would have already had the surgery. I guess what I am trying to say, is that I really think you can slow it down. I am trying to not kid myself into thinking I can cure it, but who knows, and as long as I am still able to live my life without severe memory loss, I am happy and will continue what I am doing and hope they discover a cure or at least a better way to treat it.