CANNABIS LIFTS ALZHEIMER APPETITE

A cannabis-based drug could help people with Alzheimer's disease by
giving them the "munchies", researchers say.

Patients with the condition often experience weight loss because they
stop recognising when they are hungry.

The study does not suggest they should be given cannabis to smoke -
instead, they tested a synthetic version of a cannabis extract.

It was found the cannabinoid led to weight and reduced agitation,
another symptom of the disease.

The researchers from the Meridian Institute for Aging in New Jersey
looked at a drug called dronabinol which is an artificial version of
delta-9 THC, the active ingredient in cannabis.

The drug has already been approved in the US for the treatment of
anorexia in patients with HIV/Aids and nausea associated with
chemotherapy.

In the UK, a THC cannabinoid is also being tested in a trial to see if
cannabis-based drugs can ease post-operative pain.

Daily life

In the latest US trial, 48 patients with an average age of 77 who had
experienced problems with agitation and had been diagnosed with
anorexia were studied.

All lived in a dementia unit or a care home.

Researchers assessed their cognitive skills and looked at how they
coped with daily life.

They were then given daily doses of five milligrams of dronabinol per
day, which was gradually increased to 10 mg a day.

They were also given anti-psychotic drugs, which reduce delusions and
have a calming effect, and at least four other medications to control
behaviour.

After a month, it was found all the patients had gained
weight.

Two thirds experienced a significant improvement in
agitation.

No adverse events such as falls, seizures or depressions were
reported.

'Upsetting and stressful'

Dr Joshua Shua-Haim, medical director at the Meridian Institute for
Aging, who led the study, said: "Our research suggests dronabinol may
reduce agitation and improve appetite in patients with Alzheimer's
disease, when traditional therapies are not successful.

"It's important to look at all the aspects of Alzheimer's disease that
contribute to quality of life for patients, family members and caregivers.

"Agitation and weight loss are upsetting and stressful as the
patient's needs become ever more demanding."

The research was presented to the annual conference of the
International Psychogeriatric Association in Chicago.