‘Strong evidence’ for cannabis as treatment for Alzheimer’s, says review

A new review has found ‘strong evidence’ for the role of cannabis in the treatment of  Alzheimer’s disease.

Researchers examining existing preclinical studies say there is ‘strong evidence’ to support the idea that cannabinoids have neuroprotective properties and could have a role in treating common neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s.

In a review published this month, scientists evaluated the neuroprotective potential of  Cannabis sativa L with a particular focus on its use as a therapeutic for treating dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Around 55 million people around the world are thought to be living with dementia, a number that is rising in line with an ageing population.

Alzheimer’s disease,  which causes a decline in cognitive and functional abilities, is a type of dementia which, along with vascular dementia, makes up the majority of cases. It is also the most common neurodegenerative disease globally.

There is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s and existing treatments are focused on symptom management, rather than slowing disease progression. 

Could cannabis offer new hope?

A number of studies have examined medicinal cannabis could be used to treat some of the symptoms of the disease, such as easing aggression, agitation and anxiety, which are commonly seen among patients. 

Furthermore, the cannabinoids CBD, THC and CBN [cannabinol], have been highlighted as potentially having neuroprotective properties, preventing cell death and damage in the brain, although more research is needed.

Now researchers have analysed a number of in vitro and in vivo, preclinical studies on the neuroprotective potential of phytochemicals found in the plant.

According to the paper, many of the active compounds in cannabis were evidenced as having efficacy in the treatment of neurodegenerative conditions exemplified by Alzheimer’s disease.

Several phytocannabinoids, terpenes and select flavonoids demonstrated neuroprotection through a ‘myriad of cellular and molecular pathways’, the authors said.

They concluded: “These findings provide strong evidence for a role of cannabis constituents, individually or in combination, as potential neuroprotectants timely to the emergent use of medicinal cannabis as a novel treatment for neurodegenerative diseases.”

They went on to recommend further randomised control trials and clinical studies to try to better understand exactly how these compounds work and substantiate these initial findings.

• Four new medical cannabis studies to catch-up on
• CBN discovery could lead to new treatments for Alzheimer’s, say researchers
• Could CBD help us live longer? New evidence suggests so
• Cannabis strength soars over past half century – study
• Cannabis no more of a risk than tobacco and alcohol – study