A cannabinoid drug slows the progression of Alzheimer's in mice models

Researchers at the Institute of Neuropathology at IDIBELL, led by Isidre Ferrer, have successfully tested a drug that combines two varieties of the cannabis plant in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease. Chronic treatment with low doses of this compound slows neurodegeneration and promotes improved cognitive level in the treated animals. The study results were published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.

Two varieties with neuroprotective properties

The drug is a combination of two varieties of the cannabis plant which has been approved in our country to treat spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis and is currently in advanced stages of clinical development for other therapeutic applications. One of the varieties of cannabis that make up the drug is enriched in tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive compound of cannabis with numerous known neuroprotective properties. The other is enriched with cannabidiol, which has not only antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects but also mitigates psychoactive effects of THC.

"So", says the lead author of the study, Ester Aso, "is a very interesting combination that allows us to benefit from the neuroprotective properties of both THC and cannabidiol, but avoiding unwanted psychoactive effects associated with the consumption of THC, in mice with Alzheimer's."

Improved quality of life

"Our goal," says Esther Aso was "was not cure the disease in these mice but mitigate the toxic effect of molecules associated with Alzheimer's disease to slow the progression of the neurodegenerative process, and that this reversed in improved quality of life animal."

The study shows that after chronic cannabinoid treatment with this drug mice are able to successfully perform several cognitive tests as a memory test or active avoidance learning.

"At the molecular level has been found that the treatment reduces the levels of one of the most toxic forms of amyloid peptide, soluble Ab42, which is considered one of the main responsible of the neuronal damage in this model of Alzheimer's disease. This fact could explain, although we don't know the mechanism in detail, the cognitive improvement observed in treated animals. We have also observed that in this animal model that chronic inflammation is reduced and some cell signalling pathways were modified after treatment "explained researcher.

Next step

Ester Aso said the next step would be to conduct a pilot study in patients since the drug is already approved for use in patients with MS and proposed doses are much lower than the maximum authorized. "This way we avoid any unwanted effects for Alzhiemer's disease patients."

SKU

Aso E., Sánchez-Plan A., Vegas-Lozano E., Maldonado R, Ferrer I. Cannabis-Based Medicine Multiple Pathological Processes reduction in AβPP / PS1 Mice.J Alzheimers Dis. 2015;43(3):977-91. doi: 10.3233/JAD-141014.