Cannabinoid extract in microdoses ameliorates mnemonic and nonmnemonic Alzheimer’s disease symptoms: a case report

Ruver-Martins et al.

No direction reported GRADE Very low

Samplen = 1 Pat.

DesignFallbericht

Cannabinoidkombination

THC:CBD8:1

Max. dose0.001 mg

Routeoral

Summary

n=1 case report: 75-year-old patient with mild Alzheimer's dementia, cannabis extract in microdoses over 22 months. Clinical evaluation with MMSE and ADAS-Cog. Report describes improvement of memory and brain functions without major side effects.

Population75-year-old male patient with mild Alzheimer's dementia, n=1, main symptoms: memory deficit, spatial-temporal disorientation, restricted activities of daily living

InterventionOral cannabis extract (THC:CBD 8:1 ratio) in microdosing, predominantly 500 µg THC/day (max. 1 mg), over 22 months

OutcomeImprovement of MMSE and ADAS-Cog scores over 22 months; rapid, robust symptom improvement (mnemonic and non-mnemonic); dose-dependent bell-shaped effect at 500 µg THC

Confidence in the evidence

Very low

The lowest GRADE level, the effect estimate remains uncertain.

Downgraded for

Imprecision

Quality profile

Sample size ★★★★★

Blinding —

Effect size —

Citations / year —

Authors

Ruver-Martins AC, Bicca MA, de Araujo FS, de Noronha Sales Maia BHL, Pamplona FA, da Silva EG, Nascimento FP

DOI 10.1186/s13256-022-03457-w↗

Design: Fallbericht

Abstract

Background: Cannabinoid-based therapy has been shown to be promising and is emerging as crucial for the treatment of cognitive deficits, mental illnesses, and many diseases considered incurable. There is a need to find an appropriate therapy for Alzheimer's disease, and cannabinoid-based therapy appears to be a feasible possibility. Case Presentation: This report addresses the beneficial effect of cannabinoids in microdoses on improving memory and brain functions of a patient with mild-stage Alzheimer's disease. The patient is a 75-year-old white man presenting with main symptoms of memory deficit, spatial and temporal disorientation, and limited daily activity. The experimental therapeutic intervention was carried out for 22 months with microdoses of a cannabis extract containing cannabinoids. Clinical evaluations using Mini-Mental State Examination and Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale were performed. Conclusions: Here we provide original evidence that cannabinoid microdosing could be effective as an Alzheimer's disease treatment while preventing major side effects. This is an important step toward dissociating cannabinoids' health-improving effects from potential narcotic-related limitations.

The impediment to action advances action. — Marcus Aurelius