What comes to mind when you see the word “dementia”? The
term dementia refers to a decline in memory resulting in a struggle to perform
daily activities. There are many types of dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease is
the most common.
Alzheimer’s disease is one of the leading causes of
death in the United States. Over five million Americans suffer from the disease,
and this number is expected to grow rapidly within the next few decades.
Alzheimer’s affects not only the people suffering from the disease, but their
families as well. It places a major mental and financial burden on them as they
care for their loved ones. This disease is majorly impacting the nation,
therefore, advancements in treatment are essential.
The use of marijuana in the medical industry is a very controversial topic. A manuscript published in the journal of Molecular Pharmaceutics reports on using the active ingredient in marijuana, THC (delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol), to influence the pathology of Alzheimer’s disease. The main characteristic of Alzheimer’s is the accumulation of plaque in the brain caused by amyloidβ-peptide (Aβ) aggregation. The article exhibits how THC can inhibit the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE), which is responsible for this aggregation. By binding to the peripheral anionic site of AChE, THC inhibits the Aβ aggregation. The authors of the manuscript suggest that THC acts as a better inhibitor of Aβ aggregation than what is used in current drugs. Their research introduces a molecular process in which THC could prevent the disease’s progression, as well as treat the symptoms.
It is important to investigate the long term effects of using THC as a treatment for Alzheimer’s. Studies must be conducted to explore potential health and safety concerns, such as addiction.
The use of marijuana in the medical industry is a very controversial topic. A manuscript published in the journal of Molecular Pharmaceutics reports on using the active ingredient in marijuana, THC (delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol), to influence the pathology of Alzheimer’s disease. The main characteristic of Alzheimer’s is the accumulation of plaque in the brain caused by amyloidβ-peptide (Aβ) aggregation. The article exhibits how THC can inhibit the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE), which is responsible for this aggregation. By binding to the peripheral anionic site of AChE, THC inhibits the Aβ aggregation. The authors of the manuscript suggest that THC acts as a better inhibitor of Aβ aggregation than what is used in current drugs. Their research introduces a molecular process in which THC could prevent the disease’s progression, as well as treat the symptoms.
It is important to investigate the long term effects of using THC as a treatment for Alzheimer’s. Studies must be conducted to explore potential health and safety concerns, such as addiction.
Similar research has been conducted since
the article mentioned above. One study, published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s
Disease in 2014, describes the potential therapeutic effects THC can provide
for Alzheimer’s disease. The following link leads you to this abstract: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25024327
Reference:
A Molecular Link
between the Active Component of Marijuana and Alzheimer's Disease PathologyLisa M. Eubanks,†, Claude J. Rogers,†, Albert E. Beuscher IV,‡, George F. Koob,§, Arthur J. Olson,‡, Tobin J. Dickerson,† and, and Kim D. Janda*,†
Molecular Pharmaceutics 2006 3 (6), 773-777
DOI: 10.1021/mp060066m
I have heard of the possibility of marijuana being used for Alzheimer's, but I never could find a study to back it up. I do hope that there will be more studies on THC and Alzheimer's.
ReplyDeleteOne of my cousins, who is a graduate student studying neuroscience, is fascinated with Alzheimer's. She hopes to find a cure for it one day. She explained to me why it's so hard to pin down one cure for Alzheimer's. Alzheimer's is the result of many, many proteins working ineffectively. When one protein is fixed, there is a rippling effect. Another protein is changed, leading another protein to change, and so on and so forth. Another problem is that we never know for certain if a person has Alzheimer's until they're dead and an autopsy is performed. It's such a mysterious disease. Hopefully, with more studies, we can better understand this disease.
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ReplyDeleteI like that you chose a bit of a controversial topic because it really should be talked about. There is clearly a correlation between marijuana and a possible treatment for Alzheimer's, and I just don't get why doctors don't prescribe it to them. I'm sure this is not a cure, but it's definitely a start.
ReplyDeleteI've heard that marijuana does wonders for people with severe epilepsy. They go from having dozens of seizures a day to one or even none. This is definite cause to look into what marijuana, or the THC in marijuana, can actually do for someone suffering from a debilitating disease
I'm attaching an article because this one just came out this month about canabidiol, a naturally occurring cannabinoid in marijuana, that inhibits cervical cancer cell growth and induces cell death. I think we will start to see more common medical use for marijuana or its metabolites nationwide very soon!
ReplyDeletehttp://bmccomplementalternmed.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12906-016-1280-0
Thanks for the article! I find this topic very interesting. Hopefully the use of medical marijuana can really help to improve treatments for a wide variety of illnesses.
DeleteI wonder how controversial it really is, Heather. As stridently as politicians and law enforcement opposes marijuana use, I hardly know any like, actual people who have grave concerns about it. I would be willing to bet tha support for legalizing marijuana is at an all-time high.
ReplyDeleteWell organized, multiple sources, and concise.
Also, nice comments, commenters.