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tpsbmam

(3,927 posts)
10. My grandmother died in 1970 and she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease
Sun Feb 26, 2012, 11:37 AM
Feb 2012

Unlike today when the disease is well known, none of us had ever heard of it (I was a teenager). God, what a nightmare this disease is -- I hope there's an equally significant amount devoted to research. Here's a little history:

Since its discovery more than 100 years ago, there have been many scientific breakthroughs in AD research. In the 1960s, scientists discovered a link between cognitive decline and the number of plaques and tangles in the brain. The medical community then formally recognized Alzheimer’s as a disease and not a normal part of aging. In the 1970s, scientists made great strides in understanding the human body as a whole, and AD emerged as a significant area of research interest. This increased attention led in the 1990s to important discoveries and a better understanding of complex nerve cells in the brains of AD patients. More research was done on AD susceptibility genes, and several drugs were approved to treat the cognitive symptoms of the disease.



Oh, and Mr. President, in addition to the neuromodulating effects of cannabis (it's been shown, among other things, to inhibit the formation of amyloid plaques, it holds more promise in terms of treating agitation and other behaviors than many currently used drugs I've seen working, or not really working. (I used to work with Alzheimer's patients & their families, among other groups I worked with.)

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.[8]

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.[9] 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.[10]



More:
Cannabinoid May Halt Alzheimer's Progression, Study Says
Israeli Research Shows Cannabidiol May Slow Alzheimer's Disease
Cannabis Agonist Slows Alzheimer's Progression, Study Says

And there's so much more. I can tell you, based on the research I've read, I'd be going out and getting my grandmother illegal pot to delay progression of her disease and help in her treatment. I'd first have to find someone who is known to sell safe pot that isn't laced with dangerous additives. You really want to learn about the most effective treatments? Add this to protocols to ascertain its effectiveness and approve it for use if it proves as effective as early research is indicating.

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