Marijuana Could be Cheap and Effective to Treat Alzheimer's

Compounds in marijuana, like tetrahydrocannabinol discovered by scientists at the Salk Institute can aid in amyloid beta elimination. Amyloid beta, a lethal protein, is linked to Alzheimer's disease.

"Although other studies have offered evidence that cannabinoids might be neuroprotective against the symptoms of Alzheimer's, we believe our study is the first to demonstrate that cannabinoids affect both inflammation and amyloid beta accumulation in nerve cells," said, Salk professor David Schubert.

‘Tetrahydrocannabinol, a main compound found in marijuana, can help deteriorate amyloid beta, a toxic protein that is associated with Alzheimer�s disease’

The Salk team recreated parts of Alzheimer's disease through nerve cell modification.

Amyloid beta is commonly linked to Alzheimer's, but its exact function regarding the disease is unknown. The National Institutes of Health says Alzheimer's plagues more than 5 million Americans.

Alzheimer's remains an excruciating disease. The findings of the study could set the stage for new treatments.

The study is published in Aging and Mechanisms of Disease this month.

Source: Medindia