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Study register · detail Narrative Review · Dementia · 2017

The Use of Cannabinoids in Treating Dementia

Weier et al. ·Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports Impact 5.3
Mixed 25 citations
SampleNarrative Review
EndpointNPI
Blindingunklar
DesignNarrative Review
Cannabinoidthc
Key finding

Synthetic cannabinoids are well tolerated but show no significant effect on neuropsychiatric dementia symptoms in RCTs; case reports suggest possible adjuvant benefit.

Summary

Narrative review on the safety and efficacy of cannabinoids for behavioural and neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia; 2 RCTs with synthetic THC showed good tolerability, but no significant therapeutic effect on NPI scores; case reports and open-label studies suggest possible benefit as adjunctive therapy for agitation.

SummaryNarrative review on the safety and efficacy of cannabinoids for behavioural and neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia. Two RCTs with synthetic THC showed good tolerability but no significant therapeutic effect on the NPI; case reports and open-label studies suggest possible benefit as an adjuvant for reducing agitation and sleep disturbances.
Quality profile
Sample size —
Blinding —
Effect size Mixed
Citations / year ★★★★★
Authors
Weier M, Hall W
DOI 10.1007/s11910-017-0766-6↗
Design: Narrative Review
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Abstract
<h4>Purpose of review</h4>To review and summarise the current evidence on the safety and efficacy of using cannabinoids to treat behavioural and neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia.<h4>Recent findings</h4>Two randomised controlled trials testing a synthetic form of tetrahydrocannabinol have shown that while well tolerated, there was no significant therapeutic effect, based on changes to scores on the neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI). Case reports and open label trials have indicated that there may be some therapeutic benefit of adding synthetic cannabinoids as an adjunctive therapy to reduce agitation, aberrant motor behaviour and nighttime behaviour. More well-controlled clinical trials in older populations with varying severity of dementia are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of cannabinoids in treating behaviour symptoms of dementia. We provide suggestions for designing such trials and evaluating possible adverse effects of cannabinoids on cognitive and neuropsychiatric functioning.
Indication
Further studies on Dementia
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