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Cannabis therapeutics might slow memory loss in dementia
3-10-`07 | OnMedica.com | by Lisa Hitchens

Israeli researchers’ animal studies provide evidence that cannabis could be a viable option for treating patients with Alzheimer’s disease.

Around 24.3 million people have the condition globally with varying quality of care and treatment. In England this fact has prompted the Government to put together a national dementia strategy, which will be launched later this year.

At a conference in London today, Professor Raphael Mechoulam of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem will demonstrate work with mice has shown that memory loss can be slowed down by some of the chemical in cannabis.

Prof Mechoulam will announce human trials will follow during his presentation at the Cannabis Medicines Symposium held by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain.

Investigators in Spain, Italy, the UK and the US have also found an effect of cannabis in mice with dementia. They have shown that cannabidiol, a major non-psychoactive component of cannabis has positive effects in counteracting the disease effects.

In 1997, the BMA passed a motion at its annual representatives meeting that certain cannabinoids should be legalised for wider medicinal use and published a book on therapeutic uses of cannabis.

A year later, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society launched protocols to demonstrate its therapeutic effectiveness. This prompted trials exploring the medicinal benefits of cannabis for patients with multiple sclerosis and severe pain. Since then cannabis products have been developed and are used in Canada.

‘We have come a long way in ten years and there is still a lot of research ground to cover,’ said Professor Tony Moffat, conference chairman.

‘There is currently considerable interest in the medical benefits of cannabis and related compounds for a range of conditions including arthritis, multiple sclerosis and neurological pain. Although recent press coverage has focused on the abuses associated with the plant, cannabis-derived medications may offer novel opportunities in drug discovery.’

Professor Clive Ballard, director of research for the Alzheimer’s Society commented:

‘The quest for treatments for people with dementia is a critical area of research. There are encouraging findings from studies with animals suggesting that some cannabis derivatives may help protect nerve cells in the brain. We therefore look forward to robust clinical trials into potential benefits of non-psychoactive components of cannabis.’

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