Study marijuana can stop Alzheimer's

Study: Marijuana can alleviate Alzheimer's disease

01/09/2014

Small amounts of the cannabis drug THC can not only alleviate the course of Alzheimer's, according to a new US study, but possibly even completely stop it. However, it remains questionable whether marijuana would be suitable for the treatment of neurodegenerative disease.

Slow down the progression of Alzheimer's
According to a recent US study, low doses of the cannabis drug THC slow or even halt Alzheimer's progression. In their study, researchers from the University of South Florida in Tampa describe that even the smallest amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, one of the psychoactive drugs in cannabis plants) are effective against the neurodegenerative disease. The scientists published their findings in the journal „Journal of Alzheimer's Disease“.

Trigger for Alzheimer's
Thus, THC decreases the production of the protein amyloid beta and prevents its accumulation in the brain. Amyloid beta deposits are considered to trigger Alzheimer's. Only a few weeks ago, researchers from California have reported that there are different strains of these proteins, as under the headline: „Dementia: differences in Alzheimer's proteins“ was reported. Thus, the scientists have found a possible explanation for why Alzheimer's disease in patients takes different courses and the development of drugs so difficult.

The course of the disease may be stopped
According to the scientists from Florida, THC can not only mitigate the course of the disease, but perhaps even completely halt it. Study author Chuanhai Cao told rt.com: „THC is known to be an effective antioxidant with neuroprotective properties, but our study is the first indication that it is directly effective against Alzheimer's disease. In addition, we have observed that the extremely low THC doses used also positively influence the function of mitochondria.“ In the mitochondria cells produce their energy. According to the researchers, the positive effects on these power plants lead to better energy supply and signal transmission in the brain.

Negative effects of THC
Despite the positive results the scientists do not want according to futurezone.at „elation“ arise. THC is also associated with adverse effects, such as memory damage and psychosis triggering, researchers said. Other experts often point to this problem. For example, the Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) announced at the beginning of the year that a total of 10,142 hospital stays in Germany had been diagnosed in the previous year „Mental and behavioral disorders due to cannabinoids“ accounted for. As was further explained, the legal situation should also be considered, as cannabis and THC are banned in many states. Nevertheless, the researchers hope for one „potential therapeutic option for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease“. (Ad)