Neuroprotective effect of cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive component from Cannabis sativa, on beta-amyloid-induced toxicity in PC12 cells

“Our results indicate that cannabidiol exerts a combination of neuroprotective, anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic effects against beta-amyloid peptide toxicity, and that inhibition of caspase 3 appearance from its inactive precursor, pro-caspase 3, by cannabidiol is involved in the signalling pathway for this neuroprotection.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15030397 

Marijuana Slows Alzheimer’s Decline

“the investigators confirmed that cannabinoids counteracted the activation of microglia and thus reduced inflammation.  These findings that cannabinoids work both to prevent inflammation and to protect the brain may set the stage for their use as a therapeutic approach for Alzheimer’s disease, de Ceballos said.”

http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n307/a10.html