Marijuana compound removes toxic Alzheimer's protein from the brain [View all]

[True Earthling]

Last edited Thu Jun 30, 2016, 12:30 PM - Edit history (1)

Scientists have found preliminary evidence that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other compounds found in marijuana can promote the cellular removal of amyloid beta, a toxic protein associated with Alzheimer's disease.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/06/160629095609.htm

"Inflammation within the brain is a major component of the damage associated with Alzheimer's disease, but it has always been assumed that this response was coming from immune-like cells in the brain, not the nerve cells themselves," says Antonio Currais, a postdoctoral researcher in Schubert's laboratory and first author of the paper. "When we were able to identify the molecular basis of the inflammatory response to amyloid beta, it became clear that THC-like compounds that the nerve cells make themselves may be involved in protecting the cells from dying."

Brain cells have switches known as receptors that can be activated by endocannabinoids, a class of lipid molecules made by the body that are used for intercellular signaling in the brain. The psychoactive effects of marijuana are caused by THC, a molecule similar in activity to endocannabinoids that can activate the same receptors. Physical activity results in the production of endocannabinoids and some studies have shown that exercise may slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease.

Schubert emphasized that his team's findings were conducted in exploratory laboratory models, and that the use of THC-like compounds as a therapy would need to be tested in clinical trials.

edit - some additional info.

A Molecular Link Between the Active Component of Marijuana and Alzheimer's Disease Pathology
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2562334/

Compared to currently approved drugs prescribed for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, THC is a considerably superior inhibitor of Abeta aggregation, and this study provides a previously unrecognized molecular mechanism through which cannabinoid molecules may directly impact the progression of this debilitating disease.

J147 was mentioned in the article. J147 is a derivative of curcumin...

http://www.mybraintest.org/2016/01/curcumin-and-brain-health/

Researchers at the Salk Institute in La Jolla, California working on an experimental drug for Alzheimer’s disease have made a happy discovery that the compound also appears to have some generalized anti-aging properties.

Known as J147, the drug is based on a specialized formation of curcumin, the spice used in curry. Curcumin is a potent anti-inflammatory molecule that can cross the blood-brain barrier.

Salk J147 study...
https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.impactaging.com%2Fpapers%2Fv7%2Fn11%2Fpdf%2F100838.pdf