Dr. Andrew Weil tells medical professional conference marijuana is medically useful

Here is an excerpt from Dr. Weil's presentation

WHY I SUPPORT MEDICAL MARIJUANA

In late May, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) -- after decades of obstruction—finally loosened its restrictions on medical marijuana research. Now, changes in HHS guidelines will make it easier for researchers to obtain legal (i.e., federally grown) marijuana for clinical trials. This change came in response to a report issued in March by the Institute of Medicine (IOM), a branch of the National Academy of Sciences. The report found convincing evidence that marijuana may help people with AIDS wasting syndrome, chemotherapy-induced nausea, or multiple sclerosis. The IOM panel of experts recommended further research on the use of marijuana for these conditions as well as others for which there is strong anecdotal evidence.

The IOM panel’s call for changes in federal policy on medical marijuana echoed those in recent years of an expert panel of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the editors of the New England Journal of Medicine, the American Medical Association, and voters in seven states. Despite long years of use as a folk medicine and anecdotal evidence of its usefulness in medical conditions from epilepsy to migraine to chronic pain, until now the federal government has balked at approving, funding, or providing legal marijuana for clinical research on conditions that might benefit from the herb. I’m pleased to see some sign that more studies may finally be done on the therapeutic effects of marijuana, but I’m disappointed that the federal prohibition on the actual use of marijuana for medical purposes by patients is still in effect.

It’s unbelievable to me that it is still illegal to use marijuana medically in this country. When I published a study in Science on the physiological and psychological effects on humans in 1968 while I was still a student at Harvard Medical School, I thought that medical use of the plant would be legalized within five years. I never expected the federal government to take such a harsh stance on what is, after all, an herb for which no fatal dose has ever been established. But federal policymakers have continued to demonize marijuana, labeling it a "gateway" drug that leads to the use of harder drugs. (I was pleased to see that the IOM panel refuted that claim in their report.)

Like the IOM panel, I don’t believe the future of medical marijuana lies in smoking it. Marijuana smoke contains carcinogenic toxins, and long-term use of smoked marijuana (medical or otherwise) can raise the risk of lung disease, including lung cancer. For this reason I support research into safer delivery systems, such as inhalers (like those used by asthmatics) and low-temperature vaporizers. But for patients with certain conditions, the benefits of using medicinal marijuana to relieve symptoms may well outweigh the risks.

Over the years, many patients have told me that marijuana eased the discomforts of multiple sclerosis, cancer chemotherapy, migraine headaches, severe menstrual cramps, and fibromyalgia. These were not "potheads" avoiding conventional medicines; in most cases, they either used marijuana to moderate the side effects of conventional treatment (such as chemotherapy) or had conditions for which conventional medicines provided no relief. Because of their testimony, I’m now more likely to suggest the herb myself, especially to patients suffering from chemotherapy side effects, muscle spasticity (as seen in MS or spinal-cord injuries), or AIDS wasting syndrome. I’m frustrated that as a physician I cannot write them prescriptions or refer them to a reliable source.

A legal form of marijuana has long been available by prescription under the name Marinol, a synthetic form of THC, the main psychoactive constituent of marijuana. But patients consistently tell me this pill is inferior to smoking the natural herb—that it causes much greater intoxication, for one thing. Both the NIH and IOM panels agreed that the smoked whole plant is faster-acting than Marinol and the dosage more easily adjusted.

The Clinton Administration has taken one small step toward putting the issue of medical marijuana in the hands of health experts rather than the criminal-justice system.

But it needs to go much further. The HHS guidelines may indeed increase access to legal marijuana for research purposes—although the process will never be swift, given the need for approval by at least three federal agencies. Unfortunately, the HHS has rejected what I consider the most important recommendation made by the IOM panel—that physicians be able to prescribe marijuana to individual patients with debilitating or terminal conditions who have no other alternative for relief of pain and suffering.

I believe such compassionate use is justified. But until the federal government backs this policy, as a physician my hands are tied.

Copyright: 1999 Self Healing

Visit Dr. Weil's website

History of "cannabis tincture" produced by U.S. pharmaceutical companies

Before marijuana/cannabis was made illegal in the United States in 1937, it was used in a wide array of medical products. The antique cannabis book documents over 600 products.

Have you heard of the Eli Lilly the well-known pharmaceutical company? They are the manufacturer of some well known medicines that you have probably heard of - Prozac, Cialis, Zyprexa, Methadone and many many more. The photo below is of a Cannabis "tincture" produced by this company in the 1900's.

The photo above is from Parke-Davis, a subsidiary of the pharmaceutical company Pfizer. Pfizer marketed the first widely available treatment for epilepsey (Dilantin), they also developed the first bacterial vaccine, and were one of the first companies contracted to manufature the Salk vaccine used to eradicate polio.

Learn more history and see more photos at the antique cannabis website.

Over of Alzheimer's research from NORML website

Alzheimer's Disease

Join the Discussion

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurological disorder of unknown origin that is characterized by a progressive loss of memory and learned behavior. Patients with Alzheimer’s are also likely to experience depression, agitation, and appetite loss, among other symptoms. Over 4.5 million Americans are estimated to be afflicted with the disease. No approved treatments or medications are available to stop the progression of AD, and few pharmaceuticals have been FDA-approved to treat symptoms of the disease.

A review of the recent scientific literature indicates that cannabinoid therapy may provide symptomatic relief to patients afflicted with AD while also moderating the progression of the disease.

Writing in the February 2005 issue of the Journal of Neuroscience, investigators at Madrid's Complutense University and the Cajal Institute in Spain reported that the intracerebroventricular administration of the synthetic cannabinoid WIN 55,212-2 prevented cognitive impairment and decreased neurotoxicity in rats injected with amyloid-beta peptide (a protein believed to induce Alzheimer’s). Additional cannabinoids were also found to reduce the inflammation associated with Alzheimer's disease in human brain tissue in culture. "Our results indicate that … cannabinoids succeed in preventing the neurodegenerative process occurring in the disease," investigators concluded.[1]

More recently, investigators at The Scripps Research Institute in California reported that THC inhibits the enzyme responsible for the aggregation of amyloid plaque — the primary marker for Alzheimer's disease — in a manner "considerably superior" to approved Alzheimer's drugs such as donepezil and tacrine. "Our results provide a mechanism whereby the THC molecule can directly impact Alzheimer's disease pathology," researchers concluded. "THC and its analogues may provide an improved therapeutic [option] for Alzheimer's disease [by]... simultaneously treating both the symptoms and the progression of [the] disease."[2]

Previous preclinical studies have demonstrated that cannabinoids can prevent cell death by anti-oxidation.[3] Some experts believe that cannabinoids’ neuroprotective properties could also play a role in moderating AD.[4]

In addition to potentially modifying the progression of AD, clinical trials also indicate that cannabinoid therapy can reduce agitation and stimulate weight gain in patients with the disease. Most recently, investigators at Berlin Germany’s Charite Universitatmedizin, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, reported that the daily administration of 2.5 mg of synthetic THC over a two-week period reduced nocturnal motor activity and agitation in AD patients in an open-label pilot study.[5]

Clinical data presented at the 2003 annual meeting of the International Psychogeriatric Association previously reported that the oral administration of up to 10 mg of synthetic THC reduced agitation and stimulated weight gain in late-stage Alzheimer’s patients in an open-label clinical trial.[6] Improved weight gain and a decrease in negative feelings among AD patients administered cannabinoids were previously reported by investigators in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry in 1997.[7] Additional study of the use of cannabinoids and Alzheimer’s would appear to be warranted.

REFERENCES

[1] Ramirez et al. 2005. Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease pathology by cannabinoids. The Journal of Neuroscience 25: 1904-1913.

[2] Eubanks et al. 2006. A molecular link between the active component of marijuana and Alzheimer's disease pathology. Molecular Pharmaceutics (E-pub ahead of print).

[3] Hampson et al. 1998. Cannabidiol and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol are neuroprotective antioxidants. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 95: 8268-8273.

[4] Science News. June 11, 1998. “Marijuana chemical tapped to fight strokes.”

[5] Walther et al. 2006. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol for nighttime agitation in severe dementia. Physcopharmacology 185: 524-528.

[6] BBC News. August 21, 2003. “Cannabis lifts Alzheimer’s appetite.”

[7] Volicer et al. 1997. Effects of dronabinol on anorexia and disturbed behavior in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry 12: 913-919.

source: NORML

THC reduces agitation and improves appetite in Alzheimer's patients

BBSNews - 2003-06-08 -- Science: THC reduces agitation and improves appetite in Alzheimer's patients

A pilot study suggests that THC (dronabinol) may reduce agitation and lead to weight gain in patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease. The results were presented on 15 May at the annual meeting of the American Geriatrics Society.

The study examined nine patients with a mean age of 83 years. All patients met accepted criteria for possible Alzheimer's disease and had unsatisfactory control of their agitation. The Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), a test used to measure a person's basic cognitive skills, and an assessment of activities of daily living were used to evaluate patients at the start of the study and at one month. Patients initially received 2x2.5 mg THC daily, which was increased up to a maximum of 2x5 mg/day. In addition, all patients were treated with atypical neuroleptics and at least four medications to control behaviour.

After one month agitation was significantly reduced in six patients. Three patients experienced an average increase on the MMSE of 1.2 points (baseline: 11 points). Functional improvement was observed in three patients. Prior to the study, all patients experienced weight loss due to anorexia. After THC treatment all patients had gained weight. No adverse events, such as falls, syncope (short-term faint), seizures or exacerbation of agitation or depression were reported.

"Our trial, although preliminary, suggest dronabinol may reduce agitation and improve appetite in patients with Alzheimer's disease, when traditional therapies are not successful," said Dr. Joshua Shua-Haim, lead investigator in the study and medical director of the Meridian Institute for Aging in Central New Jersey.

In 1997 Dr. Ladislav Volicer and colleagues already conducted a study in 15 patients with Alzheimer's disease who refused food. Eleven patients completed the 12 week cross-over trial of THC and placebo (six weeks of each treatment). The THC treatment resulted in substantial weight gains. Surprisingly, THC also decreased severity of disturbed behaviour. In 1999 Unimed, the marketer of the THC preparation Marinol, estimated that about 5- 10 percent of the drug's patient population consisted of Alzheimer's patients.

(Sources: PR Newswire of 15 May 2003; NORML of 29 May 2003; Volicer L, et al. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 1997;12:913-9; Joy JE, Watson SJ, Benson JA (eds): Marijuana and Medicine: Assessing the Science Base. Institute of Medicine, National Academy Press, Washington DC 1999)

web source

Former Attorney General to push for medical marijuana

By Tim Carpenter

The Capital-Journal

Published Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Former Kansas state Attorney General Robert Stephan plans to speak out Friday about what he believes is the need to legalize the medical consumption of marijuana in Kansas.

The state's chief law enforcement officer from 1979 to 1995 will participate in a news conference in the Statehouse hosted by Kansas Compassionate Care Coalition, which seeks legal protection for patients who use marijuana as part of a treatment program and for physicians who recommend the drug to patients.

Robert Stephan to appear with a coaliton on Friday.

Laura Green, director of the coalition, said in an interview Tuesday that laws relating to medicinal use of marijuana are on the books in more than 30 states. A dozen states rigidly shield patients from prosecution when consuming cannabis for medical purposes.

Consumption of marijuana is illegal under Kansas law. The first conviction is a misdemeanor, and subsequent convictions are felonies.

"There is no medical marijuana defense in Kansas," Green said.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an advisory in 2006 against marijuana consumption for medical purposes.

The document stated the drug has "a high potential for abuse, has no currently accepted medical use treatment in the United States and has a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision."

"Furthermore," the FDA says, "there is currently sound evidence that smoked marijuana is harmful."

Advocates of the therapeutic use of pot point to research findings indicating the drug is helpful in pain relief, control of nausea and vomiting, and appetite stimulation. It is consumed by people undergoing chemotherapy or grappling with AIDS.

Stephan, a Republican who battled cancer in the past, will offer at the news conference "his personal history of the issue," Green said.

Green said no specific legislation would be proposed at this point. The objective is to get the issue on the policy radar for the 2008 Legislature. Lawmakers convene the annual session in January.

On Wednesday, spokeswomen for Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and Attorney General Paul Morrison, both Democrats, said neither politician had endorsed medical use of marijuana.

"We stand prepared to enforce the law according to what the Legislature decides," said Morrison spokeswoman Frances Gorman.

Nicole Corcoran, who represents the governor, said Sebelius hadn't discussed the issue in terms of state policy.

Tim Carpenter can be reached at (785) 295-1158 or timothy.carpenter@cjonline.com.

source

Cannabis lifts Alzheimer appetite

BBC NEWS / HEALTH

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Thursday, 21 August, 2003, 10:42 GMT 11:42 UK

Cannabis lifts Alzheimer appetite

A cannabis-based drug could help people with Alzheimer's disease by giving them the "munchies", researchers say.

Patients with the condition often experience weight loss because they stop recognising when they are hungry.

The study does not suggest they should be given cannabis to smoke - instead, they tested a synthetic version of a cannabis extract.

It was found the cannabinoid led to weight and reduced agitation, another symptom of the disease.

The researchers from the Meridian Institute for Aging in New Jersey looked at a drug called dronabinol which is an artificial version of delta-9 THC, the active ingredient in cannabis.

" Dronabinol may reduce agitation and improve appetite in patients with Alzheimer's disease "
Dr Joshua Shua-Haim, Meridian Institute for Aging

The drug has already been approved in the US for the treatment of anorexia in patients with HIV/Aids and nausea associated with chemotherapy.

In the UK, a THC cannabinoid is also being tested in a trial to see if cannabis-based drugs can ease post-operative pain.

Daily life

In the latest US trial, 48 patients with an average age of 77 who had experienced problems with agitation and had been diagnosed with anorexia were studied.

All lived in a dementia unit or a care home.

Researchers assessed their cognitive skills and looked at how they coped with daily life.

They were then given daily doses of five milligrams of dronabinol per day, which was gradually increased to 10 mg a day.

They were also given anti-psychotic drugs, which reduce delusions and have a calming effect, and at least four other medications to control behaviour.

After a month, it was found all the patients had gained weight.

Two thirds experienced a significant improvement in agitation.

No adverse events such as falls, seizures or depressions were reported.

'Upsetting and stressful'

Dr Joshua Shua-Haim, medical director at the Meridian Institute for Aging, who led the study, said: "Our research suggests dronabinol may reduce agitation and improve appetite in patients with Alzheimer's disease, when traditional therapies are not successful.

"It's important to look at all the aspects of Alzheimer's disease that contribute to quality of life for patients, family members and caregivers.

"Agitation and weight loss are upsetting and stressful as the patient's needs become ever more demanding."

The research was presented to the annual conference of the International Psychogeriatric Association in Chicago.

source: BBC News

Marijuana May Prevent Alzheimer's Disease

Could THC Discovery Contribute to New Alzheimer's Medications?

Researchers at the Scripps Research Institute have found that the active ingredient in marijuana may help prevent Alzheimer's disease. Tetrahydrocannabinol or THC as it is better known, apparently inhibits the formation of amyloid plaque. In plaques, the main protein component is called beta-amyloid, which is produced from a larger protein called beta-amyloid precursor protein. Ever since the discovery of these proteins researchers have been attempting to discover their role in the disease. This study has found that THC is much more effective at breaking down the plaque than some of the FDA approved medications currently available for treating Alzheimer's disease.

Many people may have to think again about marijuana. The researchers say their findings show that there is a "previously unrecognized molecular mechanism through which THC may directly affect the progression of Alzheimer's disease".

More research will need to be done to see if a new treatment that involves the use of THC will halt or slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's is a disease that affects about 4.5 million Americans. It is estimated that by 2050 that number of people with Alzheimer's could be as high as 16 million.

Information Source: Lisa M. Eubanks, Claude J. Rogers, Tobin J. Dickerson, Albert E. Beuscher IV, George F. Koob, and Arthur J. Olson. (2006) A Molecular Link Between the Active Component of Marijuana and Alzheimer's Disease Pathology, Journal Molecular Pharmaceutics Publication of the American Chemical Society.

Updated: October 6, 2006

reprinted from About.com

Overview of research on THC & Alzheimer's

the following summary is from freedomactivist.net

2006: "We have demonstrated that THC competitively inhibits AChE and, furthermore, binds to the AChE PAS and diminishes [amyloid-beta-peptide] aggregation. In contrast to previous studies aimed at utilizing cannabinoids in Alzheimer's disease therapy, our results provide a mechanism whereby the THC molecule can directly impact Alzheimer's disease pathology. We note that while THC provides an interesting Alzheimer's disease drug lead, it is a psychoactive compound with strong affinity for endogenous cannabinoid receptors. It is noteworthy that THC is a considerably more effective inhibitor of AChE-induced [amyloid-beta-peptide] deposition than the approved drugs for Alzheimer's disease treatment, donepezil and tacrine, which reduced [amyloid-beta-peptide] aggregation by only 22% and 7%, respectively, at twice the concentration used in our studies. Therefore, AChE inhibitors such as THC and its analogues may provide an improved therapeutic for Alzheimer's disease, augmenting acetylcholine levels by preventing neurotransmitter degradation and reducing [amyloid-beta-peptide] aggregation, thereby simultaneously treating both the symptoms and progression of Alzheimer's disease." reports Lisa M Eubanks, Claude J Rogers, Albert E Beuscher IV, George F Koob, Arthur J Olson, Tobin J Dickerson, Kim D Janda from "A Molecular Link between the Active Component of Marijuana and Alzheimer's Disease Pathology", Molecular Pharmaceutics, Aug 9 2006

2005: "The active ingredient in marijuana may stall decline from Alzheimer's disease, research suggests. Scientists showed a synthetic version of the compound may reduce inflammation associated with Alzheimer's and thus help to prevent mental decline. They hope the cannanbinoid may be used to developed new drug therapies. The research, by Madrid's Complutense University and the Cajal Institute, is published in the Journal of Neuroscience. The scientists first compared the brain tissue of patients who died from Alzheimer's disease with that of healthy people who had died at a similar age. They looked closely at brain cell receptors to which cannabinoids bind, allowing their effects to be felt. They also studied structures called microglia, which activate the brain's immune response. Microglia collect near the plaque deposits associated with Alzheimer's disease and, when active, cause inflammation. The researchers found a dramatically reduced functioning of cannabinoid receptors in diseased brain tissue. This was an indication that patients had lost the capacity to experience cannabinoids' protective effects. The next step was to test the effect of cannabinoids on rats injected with the amyloid protein that forms Alzheimer's plaques. Those animals who were also given a dose of a cannabinoid performed much better in tests of their mental functioning. The researchers found that the presence of amyloid protein in the rats' brains activated immune cells. However, rats that also received the cannabinoid showed no sign of microglia activation. Using cell cultures, the researchers confirmed that cannabinoids counteracted the activation of microglia and thus reduced inflammation. ... Researcher Dr Maria de Ceballos said: 'These findings that cannabinoids work both to prevent inflammation and to protect the brain may set the stage for their use as a therapeutic approach for Alzheimer's disease.' Dr Susanne Sorensen, head of research at the Alzheimer's Society, said: 'This is important research because it provides another piece of the jigsaw puzzle on the workings of the brain. There is no cure for Alzheimer's disease, so the identification of another target for drug development is extremely welcome. The Alzheimer's Society looks forward to seeing further research being carried out on cannabinoid receptors as drug targets for Alzheimer's disease but would warn the public against taking marijuana as a way of preventing Alzheimer's. It is now generally recognised that as well as providing a 'high', long-term use of marijuana can also lead to depression in many individuals.' ... Harriet Millward, of the Alzheimer's Research Trust, said there were two main types of cannabinoid receptor, CR1 and CR2. 'It is CR1 that produces most of the effects of marijuana, including the harmful ones. If it is possible to make drugs that act only on CR2, as suggested by the authors of this study, they might mimic the positive effects of cannabinoids without the damaging ones of marijuana. However, this is a fairly new field of research and producing such selective drugs is not an easy task. There is also no evidence yet that cannabinoid-based drugs can slow the decline in human Alzheimer's patients." – "Marijuana may block Alzheimer's", BBC News, Feb 22 2005.

"Another very intriguing link between natural cannabinoids and memory was found in the brains of people who died of Alzheimer's disease. The researchers discovered that the brains of people died of Alzheimer's showed substantially less cannabinoid binding than shown by the brains of the control group. The abnormal absences of cannabinoid receptors weren't located in regions correleated with the damage done by Alzhemier's disease itself, so the researchers did not believe that the Alzheimer's disease caused the disappearance of CB1 receptors.
The difference between the Alzheimer's and control CB1 levels was the highest in the hippocampus, the same region of the brain where cannabinoids help regulate short-term memory. The Alzheimer's brains showed binding to the test cannabinoid that was reduced by 49% compared to the binding observed in the control brains.
There is not yet an explanation for this difference. Research showed that in rats, cannabinoid receptors and the ability to respond to anandamide (and THC) develop gradually from birth until adulthood, and then remain fairly constant as the animals age." claims Los Angeles Cannabis Resource Center from "Cannabinoids in the brain".

Marijuana may block Alzheimer's

The active ingredient in marijuana may stall decline from Alzheimer's disease, research suggests.

Scientists showed a synthetic version of the compound may reduce inflammation associated with Alzheimer's and thus help to prevent mental decline.

They hope the cannabinoid may be used to developed new drug therapies.

The research, by Madrid's Complutense University and the Cajal Institute, is published in the Journal of Neuroscience.

We would warn the public against taking marijuana as a way of preventing Alzheimer's Dr Susanne Sorensen

The scientists first compared the brain tissue of patients who died from Alzheimer's disease with that of healthy people who had died at a similar age.

They looked closely at brain cell receptors to which cannabinoids bind, allowing their effects to be felt.

They also studied structures called microglia, which activate the brain's immune response.

Microglia collect near the plaque deposits associated with Alzheimer's disease and, when active, cause inflammation.

The researchers found a dramatically reduced functioning of cannabinoid receptors in diseased brain tissue.

This was an indication that patients had lost the capacity to experience cannabinoids' protective effects.

The next step was to test the effect of cannabinoids on rats injected with the amyloid protein that forms Alzheimer's plaques.

Those animals who were also given a dose of a cannabinoid performed much better in tests of their mental functioning.

The researchers found that the presence of amyloid protein in the rats' brains activated immune cells.

However, rats that also received the cannabinoid showed no sign of microglia activation.

Using cell cultures, the researchers confirmed that cannabinoids counteracted the activation of microglia and thus reduced inflammation.

Drug target

Researcher Dr Maria de Ceballos said: "These findings that cannabinoids work both to prevent inflammation and to protect the brain may set the stage for their use as a therapeutic approach for Alzheimer's disease."

Dr Susanne Sorensen, head of research at the Alzheimer's Society, said: "This is important research because it provides another piece of the jigsaw puzzle on the workings of the brain.

"There is no cure for Alzheimer's disease, so the identification of another target for drug development is extremely welcome.

"The Alzheimer's Society looks forward to seeing further research being carried out on cannabinoid receptors as drug targets for Alzheimer's disease but would warn the public against taking marijuana as a way of preventing Alzheimer's.

"It is now generally recognised that as well as providing a 'high', long-term use of marijuana can also lead to depression in many individuals."

Different receptors

Harriet Millward, of the Alzheimer's Research Trust, said there were two main types of cannabinoid receptor, CR1 and CR2.

"It is CR1 that produces most of the effects of marijuana, including the harmful ones.

"If it is possible to make drugs that act only on CR2, as suggested by the authors of this study, they might mimic the positive effects of cannabinoids without the damaging ones of marijuana.

"However, this is a fairly new field of research and producing such selective drugs is not an easy task.

"There is also no evidence yet that cannabinoid-based drugs can slow the decline in human Alzheimer's patients."

Story from BBC NEWS:


Published: 2005/02/22 23:52:48 GMT

© BBC MMVII

Marijuana May Slow Alzheimer's

Key Marijuana Compound Beats Current Alzheimer's Drugs In Test-Tube Study

Oct . 6, 2006

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(WebMD) THC, the key compound in marijuana, may also be the key to new drugs for Alzheimer's disease.

That's because the marijuana compound blocks the formation of brain-clogging Alzheimer's plaques better than current Alzheimer's drugs.

The finding — in test-tube studies — comes from the lab of Kim Janda, Ph.D., director of the Worm Institute of Research and Medicine at Scripps Research Institute.

"While we are certainly not advocating the use of illegal drugs, these findings offer convincing evidence that THC possesses remarkable inhibitory qualities, especially when compared to [Alzheimer's drugs] currently available to patients," Janda says in a news release.

"Although our study is far from final, it does show that there is a previously unrecognized molecular mechanism through which THC may directly affect the progression of Alzheimer's disease."

Janda's team found that THC blocks an enzyme called acetylcholinesterase, which speeds the formation of amyloid plaque in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease.

The Alzheimer's drugs Aricept and Cognex work by blocking acetylcholinesterase. When tested at double the concentration of THC, Aricept blocked plaque formation only 22 percent as well as THC, and Cognex blocked plaque formation only 7 percent as well as THC.

"THC and its analogs may provide an improved [treatment for] both the symptoms and progression of Alzheimer's disease," the researchers conclude.

The findings appear in the Aug. 9 online edition of the journal Molecular Pharmaceutics, a publication of the American Chemical Society.

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SOURCES: Eubanks, L.M. Molecular Pharmaceutics, published online Aug. 9, 2006. News release, Scripps Research Institute. News release, American Chemical Society.


By Daniel DeNoonReviewed by Louise ChangCopyright 2006, WebMD Inc. All rights reserved.