Study: Cannabidiol (CBD) May Help Fight Cognitive Impairments From Alzheimer’s

There is a great deal of evidence suggesting that cannabis is beneficial for the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. It shows particular promise in the case ofAlzheimer’s disease, and Clint Werner covers the topic in detail in his book Marijuana Gateway to Health.With that said, a group of Australian researchers, led by Dr. Tim Karl, published a study in this month’s edition of Psychopharmacology that offers further insight. It suggests thatcannabidiol (CBD) can help reverse some of the cognitive effects associated with Alzheimer’s.

Australian Researchers Investigate CBD, Alzheimer’s In Mice

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of Dementia and places a major burden on those closest to the patient; it can take a toll on the caregiver financially, psychologically, and socially.

Despite the disease’s prevalence, there is little understanding about its cause and progression; research suggests it’s related to plaques in the brain, inflammation, and oxidation, among other factors. Often, the most noticeable symptom and of Alzheimer’s disease is a decline in cognitive abilities, including an inability to recognize familiar faces.

“It basically brings the performance of the animals back to the level of healthy animals.” – Dr. Tim Karl

Using genetically engineered mice to serve as models of Alzheimer’s disease, the Australian research team investigated how chronic cannabidiol (CBD) treatment would affect their cognitive abilities.

Of the mice included in the study, half received daily injections with 20 mg/kg of CBD for three weeks. Researchers measured their ability to perform a number of cognitive tasks, including social recognition, and compared the results with the group that did not receive treatment.

dr tim karl

According to their findings, the disease caused impairments in social recognition and novel object recognition compared to wild-type mice. With that said, cannabidiol (CBD) seemed to reverse the effects.

Explaining his team’s results to The Sydney Morning Herald, Dr. Karl had the following to say: “It basically brings the performance of the animals back to the level of healthy animals. You could say it cured them, but we will have to go back and look at their brains to be sure.”

Of course, these results make sense when you consider the abundance of scientific evidence that suggests cannabis is beneficial for brain development. In fact, the plant has been linked specifically to neurogenesis – the establishment of new neurons in the brain.

 

Source : Medical Jane

Auteur: Philippe Sérié

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