Study: CBD improves cognition in Alzheimer’s disease

CBD, a promising new prospect for treating Alzheimer’s disease

A recent study found that CBD may improve the cognitive ability of those with an inherited form of Alzheimer’s disease. The results of this research are so promising that researchers are now working on the development of a treatment.

Results of the CBD and Alzheimer’s study

Researchers published a study in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease in February 2021 on the use of CBD to improve the lives of people with Alzheimer’s disease.

The study involved mice with a familial (i.e. inherited) and early form of the disease. Some animals were given high doses of CBD for a fortnight. The animals given cannabinoids had an improvement in their cognitive abilities. The treatment also restored the function of two proteins that play an important role in reducing the accumulation of amyloid plaques in the brain, a phenomenon typical of the disease.

CBD is said to act directly on the brain, unlike current treatments.

How can CBD combat Alzheimer’s disease?

According to the study, CBD appears to act on several levels against Alzheimer’s disease. The administration of cannabidiol initially resulted in a 7-fold increase in IL-33 protein levels. The role of this protein is to improve the brain’s ability to detect accumulating amyloid plaques and to regulate the immune system’s response to aggression. CBD-treated mice also had a 10-fold increase in TREM2 levels. TREM2 proteins are involved in the transmission of signals to immune cells responsible for suppressing viruses circulating in the body. In the brain, TRM2 proteins act on the immune cells responsible for the suppression of damaged neurons.

Finally, CBD reduces the amount of IL-6 immune proteins, which are the inflammatory markers found in Alzheimer’s patients. Therefore, CBD would both combat inflammation and restore the correct functioning of the immune system, which is damaged by Alzheimer’s disease.

Moving towards a CBD treatment for Alzheimer’s disease?

This study raises hopes for people with Alzheimer’s disease. There are currently only two classes of drugs available for this condition. These two drugs combat some of the effects of Alzheimer’s disease, such as the reduced concentration of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine and the impaired communication between neurons through NMDA receptors. CBD seems to combat the brain damage typical of Alzheimer’s disease with a more targeted action. Therefore, the researchers decided to continue their investigations.

The objective this time will be to determine what doses of CBD are effective at combating this disease. The best route of administration for greater efficacy will also be studied. In particular, the researchers will investigate the possibility of using a CBD inhaler, which would allow the molecule to reach the brain more easily and quickly.

Finally, while researchers have primarily studied the use of cannabidiol to combat familial forms of Alzheimer’s disease, they believe that CBD will be just as effective against non-hereditary forms of the disease, which are most common. 

SOURCES

Study on CBD to combat Alzheimer’s disease: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/03/210309192548.htm