The Use of Cannabinoids in Treating Dementia

Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports

August 2017, 17:56

Megan Weier
Wayne HallEmail author

Dementia (K Marder, Section Editor)

First Online: 19 June 2017

DOI: 10.1007/s11910-017-0766-6

Cite this article as:: Weier, M. & Hall, W. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep (2017) 17: 56. doi:10.1007/s11910-017-0766-6

Part of the following topical collections:

Topical Collection on Dementia

Abstract

Purpose of Review

To review and summarise the current evidence on the safety and efficacy of using cannabinoids to treat behavioural and neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia.

Recent Findings

Two randomised controlled trials testing a synthetic form of tetrahydrocannabinol have shown that while well tolerated, there was no significant therapeutic effect, based on changes to scores on the neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI). Case reports and open label trials have indicated that there may be some therapeutic benefit of adding synthetic cannabinoids as an adjunctive therapy to reduce agitation, aberrant motor behaviour and nighttime behaviour.

Summary

More well-controlled clinical trials in older populations with varying severity of dementia are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of cannabinoids in treating behaviour symptoms of dementia. We provide suggestions for designing such trials and evaluating possible adverse effects of cannabinoids on cognitive and neuropsychiatric functioning.

Keywords

Cannabinoids Dementia Alzheimer’s disease Neuropsychiatric inventory Pharmacotherapies

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