Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a potential treatment for Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
OBJECTIVE:
To measure efficacy and safety of medical cannabis oil (MCO) containing THC as an add-on to pharmacotherapy, in relieving behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD).
METHODS:
Eleven AD patients were recruited to an open label, 4 weeks, prospective trial.
RESULTS:
Ten patients completed the trial. Significant reduction in CGI severity score (6.5 to 5.7; p < 0.01) and NPI score were recorded (44.4 to 12.8; p < 0.01). NPI domains of significant decrease were: Delusions, agitation/aggression, irritability, apathy, and sleep and caregiver distress.
CONCLUSION:
Adding MCO to AD patients’ pharmacotherapy is safe and a promising treatment option.
KEYWORDS:
Alzheimer’s disease; behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia; cannabis; tetrahydrocannabinol
- PMID: 26757043
- DOI: 10.3233/JAD-150915
- [Indexed for MEDLINE]
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MeSH terms, Substances
MeSH terms
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Antipsychotic Agents/therapeutic use
- Behavioral Symptoms/drug therapy*
- Behavioral Symptoms/etiology
- Cognition Disorders/drug therapy*
- Cognition Disorders/etiology
- Dementia/complications
- Female
- Humans
- Male
- Medical Marijuana/therapeutic use*
- Neuropsychological Tests
- Outcome Assessment (Health Care)
- Physical Examination
- Pilot Projects
- Prospective Studies
- Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
Substances
