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Marijuana
Compound Removes Toxic Alzheimer's Protein From
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Alzheimer’s disease may now be added to a list of diseases with promising treatment from cannabis compounds, a new study from the Salk Institute says.
Researchers took human neurons grown in a lab and altered them so that they created the plaque buildup (comprised of proteins such as
beta-amyloid). They then subjected the neurons to THC and other marijuana compounds.
They discovered that not only did the THC cause a breakdown of the protein buildup, but a reduction in inflammation in the cells. Inflammation is bad because it makes it harder for your neurons to communicate with one another correctly.
The finding supports the results of previous
studies that found evidence of the
protective effects of cannabinoids,
including THC, on patients with
neurodegenerative disease.
"Although other studies have offered evidence that cannabinoids might be neuroprotective against the symptoms of Alzheimer's, we believe our study is the first to demonstrate that cannabinoids affect both inflammation and amyloid beta accumulation in nerve cells," says one of the team, David Schubert from the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in California.
The THC was able to reduce the protein buildup and inflammation by working in the brain’s endocannabinoid receptors, which are naturally occurring in the
body, researchers believe. Scientists had already known that exercise engages these receptors, and physical activity can slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
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