X-Message-Number: 28594
From: David Stodolsky <>
Subject: Marijuana and Alzheimer's Disease 
Date: Mon, 23 Oct 2006 12:08:33 +0200

http://www.scripps.edu/news/press/080906.html

Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute have found that the  
active ingredient in marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, inhibits  
the formation of amyloid plaque, the primary pathological marker for  
Alzheimer's disease. In fact, the study said, THC is "a considerably  
superior inhibitor of [amyloid plaque] aggregation" to several  
currently approved drugs for treating the disease.

The study was published online August 9 in the journal Molecular  
Pharmaceutics, a publication of the American Chemical Society.

According to the new Scripps Research study, which used both computer  
modeling and biochemical assays, THC inhibits the enzyme  
acetylcholinesterase (AChE), which acts as a "molecular chaperone" to  
accelerate the formation of amyloid plaque in the brains of Alzheimer  
victims. Although experts disagree on whether the presence of beta- 
amyloid plaques in those areas critical to memory and cognition is a  
symptom or cause, it remains a significant hallmark of the disease.  
With its strong inhibitory abilities, the study said, THC "may  
provide an improved therapeutic for Alzheimer's disease" that would  
treat "both the symptoms and progression" of the disease.




<http://pubs.acs.org/cgi-bin/abstract.cgi/mpohbp/asap/abs/ 
mp060066m.html>

A Molecular Link between the Active Component of Marijuana and  
Alzheimer's Disease Pathology




dss


David Stodolsky    Skype: davidstodolsky

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