Contemporary studies that observe the effects of marijuana compounds in the treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease have given hope to the neuroscience community. It is found that certain aspects of THC, the active component in marijuana, are able to break neurotoxins that are believed to be behind the cause of Alzheimer’s Disease. Findings from the Salk Institute for Biological Studies may explain why.
Alzheimer’s Disease is the loss of memory and important mental functions due to deteriorating brain cells and connections. While the exact origin of Alzheimer’s Disease is unknown, it is understood that the amyloid-beta neurotoxin is a leading cause for deteriorating brain cells in Alzheimer’s patients. Amyloid-beta proteins cause plaque buildup in the brain, ultimately disrupting function by breaking connections in the dendrites of neuron cells. This is detrimental because neurons use their dendrites Institute have found
The Effect of Marijuana on Brains Afflicted with Alzheimer’s Disease
"there is still hope that more studies will reveal the benefits of marijuana treatment on Alzheimer’s patients"
Image from: National Institute on Aging/NIH
By: Mackenzie Trexler