Researchers Call into Question Marijuana’s Ability to Treat Alzheimers

Past studies have indicated that low levels of marijuana’s ‰ÛÏactive ingredient,‰Û THC, could help prevent the accumulation of Amyloid plaques in the brain, and even stimulate brain cell growth.

A new study by Canadian researchers comes to a different conclusion. Using mice that carry a human genetic mutation that causes Alzheimer’s disease, researchers studied the effects of HU210, a synthetic version of marijuana-derived compounds.

Mice treated with HU210 did not perform better than untreated mice on memory tests, according to the report. Furthermore, mice given higher doses of the synthetic compound had fewer brain cells than other mouse cohorts. The synthetic compound doesn’t appear to have any beneficial effects on mice with Alzheimer’s, according to the researchers.

The study appears in the current issue of the journal Current Alzheimer Research.

Now that is a buzz kill.