Cannabis is able to contrast this pathology

Alzheimer’s Disease and the role of Cannabis

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In Italy there are about 600 thousand Alzheimer’s patients, equal to a 4% of the over-65 population.

According to the estimates, in 2050 the over-65ers will represent 34% of the population, while in the coming years an increase in cases of Alzheimer’s disease is expected, making our country one of the most affected by this pathology.

This framework has been shown during the last “The European House-Ambrosetti”, held in Rome entitled 'Winning the challenge of dementias. A focus on Alzheimer’s Disease'.

The Role of Cannabis

Several scientific research studies have demonstrated how Cannabis, through the single extracts or in combination, could reveal itself effective to cure and contrast this pathology.

According to the web portal ‘truenumbers’ , Alzheimer’s Disease will be one of the emergencies of the future: throughout the world 47 million individuals are affected by this pathology, a figure which is likely to increase up to 131 million sufferers within 2050.

What is Alzheimer’s?

Alzheimer’s Disease is a form of common degenerative dementia progressively invalidating, which in almost all cases has a premature onset, which is after the age of 65, but it can also start earlier.

Amongst the most common symptoms cited by Research studies, we have the difficulty in remembering recent events, which can be accompanied by symptoms like aphasia, disorientation, sudden mood changes, depression, incapacity to take care of oneself, behaviour problems. Eventually, basic mental capacities tend to be lost.

A study conducted by Professor David Schubert shows the impact of CBD on the Alztheimer´s disease

Cannabis and Alzheimer/Study 1

A recent study, conducted at the Salk Institute of San Diego, California, in collaboration with the National Institute of Health, agency of the Ministry of Health, and the Alzheimer Association, presents an interesting mechanism of action of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

The Team directed by professor David Schubert, states to have discovered that during in vitro experiments on cell lines of human neurons, thanks to THC, it is possible to remove Amyloid-beta, the toxic protein associated to Alzheimer’s.

During the research it was discovered that high levels of amyloid-beta are connected to the inflammation of the cells and to a high rate of neuron death.

Using THC on the cells, the level of the toxic protein was reduced and the inflammatory response of the nervous cells, triggered by the protein, eliminated; thus allowing the neurons to survive.

Numerous studies examine the effects of cannabis on Alzheimer's disease

Cannabis and Alzheimer/Study 2

CBD, due to its anti-inflammatory properties, could reduce the neuro-inflammatory responses generated by the accumulation of the protein which causes the disease.

According to this Research Study, the endocannabinoid system could stabilize the lysosomes against permeabilization and support the survival of the cells.
In the Research we can read that “…We are supplying the proof that the intracellular type 1 cannabinoid receptors have a role in the stabilization of lysosomes against the toxicity of Aβ and highlight the functionality of these receptors.
Given the deleterious effect of the permeability of the lysosomal membrane on the cellular vitality, the stabilization of lysosomes with endocannabinoids could represent a new mechanism through which these lipid modulators confer neuroprotection. [..]”.

Cannabis and Alzheimer/ Study 3

A Study published in The Journal of Neuroscience in 2005, already focalized on the neuroprotectant properties of cannabinoids, which would have the capability to delay neurodegeneration caused by Alzheimer’s Disease.

CBD oil could be able to delay some symptoms of this disease, like dementia.

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