Synthetic THC Reduces Agitation in Alzheimer’s Patients

A recent clinical trial conducted by researchers at Johns Hopkins and Tufts University has found that dronabinol, a synthetic form of THC, can reduce agitation in Alzheimer’s disease patients by 30%. These results offer a potential new approach for managing one of the most challenging symptoms of the disease, which affects millions of older adults in the U.S.

The study, presented at the International Psychogeriatric Association conference, compared dronabinol with current agitation treatments, such as antipsychotics, which can cause severe side effects like delirium or seizures. Researchers found that dronabinol had a calming effect without these adverse reactions. Over the course of eight years, 75 patients with severe agitation were studied, and the group receiving dronabinol showed a measurable decrease in agitation after three weeks, as assessed by standard clinical scales.

Agitation in Alzheimer’s disease can be difficult to manage and often results in emergency department visits or long-term care placement. According to the researchers, managing agitation with a well-tolerated drug like dronabinol could help alleviate stress on caregivers and reduce healthcare burdens. The symptoms of agitation, such as verbal and physical aggression, are frequently more challenging than the cognitive decline associated with the disease, driving the need for effective intervention.

Further research is planned to explore the long-term safety and efficacy of dronabinol in larger patient populations. As Alzheimer’s cases are projected to increase dramatically in the coming years, treatments like dronabinol may offer a valuable tool in managing symptoms and improving quality of life for both patients and caregivers.

The researchers emphasize that these findings are specific to dronabinol and caution against applying them to other forms of medical marijuana. Additional studies are needed to fully understand the potential benefits and risks of using cannabinoids in treating Alzheimer’s-related agitation.