A Brazilian trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of low-dose THC-CBD cannabinoid extract in the treatment of patients with Alzheimer’s Disease associated dementia has proved promising.
A neurodegenerative disease, Alzheimer’s affects many millions of people around the world; and as we live longer, the numbers will climb. Among the initial symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) are impacts of non-memory aspects of cognition and impaired reasoning.
Based on preclinical and clinical evidence suggesting low-dose cannabinoids could improve AD signs and symptoms, a Phase 2, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial was carried out by researchers from the Federal University for Latin American Integration in Brazil.
The trial involved patients between 60 and 80 years-old diagnosed with AD-associated dementia. Participants orally received either placebo or THC-CBD extract (0.350 mg/THC and 0.245 mg/CBD), daily — very low doses — for six months.
The results: a Mini-Mental State Exam total score was significantly higher in patients receiving the cannabis extract when compared to placebo-treated patients. No significant difference was detected between placebo and cannabis groups in relation to secondary outcomes and adverse events incidence.
The researchers state:
“To this date, this is the longest clinical trial evaluating cannabinoids effects on AD patients. We initially demonstrate that low-dose THC-CBD potentially can be an effective and safe therapeutic option for AD-related dementia. Nonetheless, larger and longer trials are necessary to confirm this finding and establish cannabinoid administration as therapy for AD dementia.”
Details and results from the trial have been published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, and represents the first published study examining the effect of cannabis extract microdoses on human AD pathology.
Commenting on the results, NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano said:
“Because patients using cannabis exhibited changes in their cognitive scores but did not show similar improvements in secondary outcomes, such as sleep quality, it suggests that these cognitive improvements are a direct result of the cannabis intervention rather than an indirect result of other quality of life improvements.”
In another study published last year, synthesised THC showed potential for reducing agitation in Alzheimer’s patients. Agitation such as pacing or repetitive movements and/or verbal/physical aggression is common among AD patients.
