Exploring the therapeutic potential of cannabidiol for Alzheimer's

Neuroinflammation damages neurons and can contribute to diseases like Alzheimer’s. Cannabidiol (CBD) has anti-inflammatory properties, which suggests that it could combat neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s. In a new eNeuro paper, Babak Baban and colleagues, from Augusta University, explored whether CBD can be leveraged as an antiinflammatory treatment in an established Alzheimer’s disease mouse model.   

The researchers assessed two distinct mechanisms for shaping immune responses and regulating neuroinflammation in the central nervous system following CBD treatment via inhalation. With several molecular and genetic measures, they discovered that CBD reduced expression of key regulators for neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s mice, which was associated with less proinflammatory molecules. Baban et al. also identified distinct regulators of the immune response and neuroinflammation with which CBD interacted. 

“Alzheimer’s work has long centered on plaques and tangles,” says Baban. “But our study shows that chronic autoinflammation is also a core driver of the disease. What’s exciting is that CBD not only calms this immune overactivation but, in earlier work, we’ve shown it can also help clear plaques and tangles through a different mechanism. Together, this points to a multitarget approach with real therapeutic potential."   

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About eNeuro 

eNeuro is an online, open-access journal published by the Society for Neuroscience. Established in 2014, eNeuro publishes a wide variety of content, including research articles, short reports, reviews, commentaries and opinions. 

About The Society for Neuroscience 

The Society for Neuroscience is the world's largest organization of scientists and physicians devoted to understanding the brain and nervous system. The nonprofit organization, founded in 1969, now has nearly 35,000 members in more than 95 countries.