Cannabinoids in late-onset Alzheimer’s disease.

“Given the lack of effective treatments for late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (LOAD) and the substantial burden on patients, families, healthcare systems, and economies, finding an effective therapy is one of the highest medical priorities.

The past few years have seen a growing interest in the medicinal uses of cannabinoids, the bioactive components of the cannabis plant, including the treatment of LOAD and other physical conditions that are common in older people.

Several in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that cannabinoids can reduce oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and the formation of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, the key hallmarks of LOAD.

Also, in population-based studies, cannabinoids reduced dementia-related symptoms (e.g., behavioral disturbances).

The current article provides an overview of the potential of cannabinoids in the treatment of LOAD and related neuropsychiatric symptoms in older people.

We also discuss the efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetics of cannabinoid-based drugs in older people with dementia.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25788394

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/alzheimers-disease-ad/

In Vivo imaging of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor with positron emission tomography.

“Positron emission tomography (PET) can visualize and quantify receptors and other targets in the living human brain, and recent progress in radioligand development has enabled measurement of cannabinoid CB1 receptors. Cannabinoid CB1 receptors have been implicated in multiple human diseases, such as obesity, mood disorders, and addiction. First in vivo human studies have shown distinctive spatial and temporal alterations in cannabinoid CB1 receptor binding in addictive disorders.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25788235

Spinal neuronal cannabinoid receptors mediate urodynamic effects of systemic fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibition in rats.

“To test if urodynamic effects from systemic Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase (FAAH) inhibition involve sacral spinal cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) or type 2 (CB2) receptors…

Urodynamic effects of systemic FAAH inhibition involve activities at spinal neuronal CB1 and CB2 receptors in normal and obstructed rats.

Endogenous spinal CB receptor ligands seem to regulate normal micturition and bladder overactivity (BO). Altered spinal CB receptor functions may be involved in the pathogenesis of obstruction-induced BO.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25788026

Placental expression of the endocannabinoid system in preeclampsia.

Pregnancy Hypertension: An International Journal of Women's Cardiovascular Health

“In the present study, we aimed to analyze cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1), CB2 and fatty acid amid hydrolase (FAAH) expressions and localization in normal and preeclamptic placenta, in order to determine whether aberrant endocannabinoid activity is related to preeclampsia…

We observed markedly higher expression of CB1 protein in preeclamptic placental tissue. Increased CB1 expression might cause abnormal decidualization and impair trophoblast invasion, thus being involved in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. As CB1 activation can induce endothelial dysfunction and enhance vascular inflammation, the strong CB1 immunoreaction in vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells suggests that CB1 may contribute to the development of atherosis in the placental villi shown earlier in preeclampsia.

While the detailed pathogenesis of preeclampsia is still unclear, the endocannabinoid system could play a role in the development of the disease.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25787618

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2210778914003754

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/preeclampsia/

NEUROPROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF CANNABIS SATIVA ALCOHOLIC EXTRACT AGAINST SPINAL ALPHA MOTONEURONS DEGENERATION IN MALE TYPE II DIABETIC RATS

“Diabetic neourophaty is one of the long-term usual outcomes of diabetes.

According to anti-tumor, anti-diabetic and anti-oxidant effects of Cannabis sativa, the aim of this research was to investigate the effect of Cannabis sativa alcoholic extract on Alpha motoneurons degeneration after sciatic nerve compression in diabetic rats…

Conclusion: Using alcoholic extract of Cannabis sativa as a neuroprotective agent can prevent the progression of neural system disorders as a result of hyperglycemia.”

http://en.journals.sid.ir/ViewPaper.aspx?ID=278407

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/diabetes/

Cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, leads to EGR2-dependent anergy in activated encephalitogenic T cells.

“Cannabidiol (CBD), the main non-psychoactive cannabinoid, has been previously shown by us to ameliorate clinical symptoms and to decrease inflammation in myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)35-55-induced mouse experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis model of multiple sclerosis as well as to decrease MOG35-55-induced T cell proliferation and IL-17 secretion. However, the mechanisms of CBD anti-inflammatory activities are unclear…

Our data suggests that CBD exerts its immunoregulatory effects via induction of CD4(+)CD25(-)CD69(+)LAG3(+) cells in MOG35-55-activated APC/TMOG co-cultures. This is accompanied by EGR2-dependent anergy of stimulated TMOG cells as well as a switch in their intracellular STAT3/STAT5 activation balance leading to the previously observed decrease in Th17 activity.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25779454

Cannabinoid Replacement Therapy (CRT): Nabiximols (Sativex) as a novel treatment for cannabis withdrawal.

“Cannabis is a common recreational drug that is generally considered to have low addictive potential.

However an increasing number of cannabis users are seeking treatment for dependence on the drug.

There is interest in using agonist (substitution) pharmacotherapies to treat cannabis dependence and here we outline a novel approach involving a buccal spray (Nabiximols) that contains tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).

We review recent research with Nabiximols and highlight findings relevant to clinical practice.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25777582

Cannabis in cancer care.

“Cannabis has been used in medicine for thousands of years prior to achieving its current illicit substance status.

Cannabinoids, the active components of Cannabis sativa, mimic the effects of the endogenous cannabinoids (endocannabinoids), activating specific cannabinoid receptors, particularly CB1 found predominantly in the central nervous system and CB2 found predominantly in cells involved with immune function.

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the main bioactive cannabinoid in the plant, has been available as a prescription medication approved for treatment of cancer chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and anorexia associated with the AIDS wasting syndrome.

Cannabinoids may be of benefit in the treatment of cancer-related pain, possibly synergistic with opioid analgesics.

Cannabinoids have been shown to be of benefit in the treatment of HIV-related peripheral neuropathy, suggesting that they may be worthy of study in patients with other neuropathic symptoms.

Cannabinoids have a favorable drug safety profile, but their medical use is predominantly limited by their psychoactive effects and their limited bioavailability.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25777363

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/cancer/

Cost-effectiveness of Sativex in multiple sclerosis spasticity: new data and application to Italy.

“This study aims to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of Sativex® (9-delta-tetrahydrocannabinol plus cannabidiol oromucosal spray) when used as add-on therapy for management of resistant MS-related spasticity in the context of the Italian healthcare system…

Sativex can be regarded as a cost-effective treatment option for patients with MS-related spasticity in Italy.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25771713

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/multiple-sclerosis-ms/