Alzheimer’s is characterized by cognitive and memory decline, and while medications can temporarily relieve symptoms, there is a lack of a definitive cure. Existing treatments targeting Amyloid beta (Aβ) face challenges, prompting the need for alternative approaches.
Researchers from China Pharmaceutical University in Nanjing explored the therapeutic potential of cannabidiol (CBD), a non-intoxicating cannabis compound distinct from THC, in AD. Their study, published in the peer-reviewed journal Cells, aimed to uncover CBD’s mechanisms in addressing Alzheimer’s disease.
In mice experiments modeling AD, using Aβ1–42, a protein associated with AD onset, the researchers assessed CBD’s therapeutic efficacy. RNA-seq analysis was employed to discern the underlying mechanisms.
AD often results in memory deficits and cognitive disturbances due to neuronal loss. The study found that CBD did not cause significant damage or cell death. Conversely, CBD improved the viability of cells stressed by Aβ, suggesting a positive impact.
In in-vivo studies involving mice subjected to the Morris water maze test, CBD-treated mice demonstrated improved cognitive function compared to those treated with Aβ1–42 alone. CBD not only reduced the time taken to escape but also mitigated the negative effects of Aβ1–42 on learning over a five-day period, indicating CBD’s potential to enhance spatial memory in Alzheimer’s models.
The study concludes that CBD appears to alleviate synaptic dysfunction and provide neuroprotection in Aβ1–42-induced mice, making it a promising option for addressing learning and memory difficulties in AD.
The investigation extended to in vitro examinations, evaluating CBD’s impact on inflammation induced by Aβ1–42. CBD significantly reduced inflammatory agents, lessened microglia and astrocyte activation in crucial brain regions affected by Aβ-stimulation, suggesting anti-inflammatory benefits.
The study highlighted CBD’s effectiveness in reducing synaptic damage, neuronal loss, and the overactivation of microglia and astrocytes while simultaneously lowering neuroinflammatory markers. The researchers concluded that CBD possesses multifaceted neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties, countering Aβ-induced cognitive impairments and offering insights into its role in modulating critical genes within the inflammatory cascade.
While research on CBD’s impact on Alzheimer’s is in its early stages, promising findings indicate its potential therapeutic role in countering AD-related neuroinflammation. Previous studies in 2021 and 2019 also hinted at CBD’s positive effects in late-stage Alzheimer’s patients and its potential to suppress factors contributing to Alzheimer’s, particularly when combined with THC.
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