If someone you know has suffered, or is suffering, from Alzheimer’s disease, then you know how difficult it can be on the patient and their loved ones. Globally, Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause or type of dementia, with an estimated 60-70% of global dementia cases involving an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. That works out to roughly 34.2 million to 39.9 million cases. The condition is characterized by progressive memory loss and cognitive decline.

Medical cannabis as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease is an area of health research that is increasing and yielding positive results, as evidenced by multiple recent studies. Scientists and healthcare professionals are finding that medical cannabis therapies can help reduce Alzheimer’s-induced agitation in patients.

A team of researchers affiliated with various health and academic institutions in Brazil and the United States conducted a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) to see if cannabis-based products reduced neuropsychiatric symptoms in Alzheimer’s patients. Their findings were published in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.

“In randomized between-group analyses, cannabinoid-based therapies showed lower NPI total, CMAI-SF agitation, and NPI agitation/aggression scores than placebo, with small-to-moderate standardized effects. Somnolence, including sedation and lethargy, was the most consistent safety signal, and MMSE findings did not support a consistent cognitive benefit.” the authors of the analysis wrote. “These findings support continued investigation in larger RCTs with formulation-specific protocols, longer follow-up, active comparator arms, and systematic safety monitoring.”

Separately, clinical trial data was presented earlier this month at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in London. After assessing the efficacy of cannabis versus a placebo in a cohort of 120 hospice patients with advanced Alzheimer’s-induced dementia, researchers found that the oral administration of THC and CBD significantly reduces agitation in patients with late-stage Alzheimer’s disease. After 12 weeks of medical cannabis therapy, agitation reduced for almost 90% of those who received the THC/CBD treatment.

“These trial results were extremely impressive and showed a level of response not seen before in clinical trials related to dementia,” the study’s co-lead investigator said. “Rarely do we see close to 90 percent of patients in a trial respond positively to a new medication.”