From the first moment I discovered my dad
had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, it seemed like I was alone in this ugly
place. Even ones who had loved ones suffering in this way; even though people TALKED
about the disease, it felt for me like they did little more than mumble about
the experience. Not one to shut up for any known reason, I added a section to
this blog…
Every month, I’ll be highlighting Alzheimer’s
research that is going on RIGHT NOW! Harvested from different websites,
journals and podcasts, I’ll translate them into understandable English and share
them with you. Today: Marijuana in Minnesota!
Odd this…referencing
the article below, published in July of 2017, over a year ago, has this to say:
“The currently available examined evidence is weak and limited. It would be
premature to say that the cannabis and related compounds have any effect on
dementia symptoms or progression. Robust study designs with larger samples are
needed to clarify the utility of Cannabis in AD.”
So why the rush
(no pun intended)? Why the stampede to give cannabis to Alzheimer patients when
this review of two (2) studies specifically targeted Alzheimer’s and “were
predominantly used for the management of neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS). Two
studies on THC reported no change in NPS and no severe side effects. The other
three studies reported variable and inconsistent improvements in NPS.”
Oh! I missed this
from the Alpha News article: “State officials say there is some evidence the
use of medical marijuana may improve the quality of life for people with
Alzheimer’s by improving their mood, sleep and behavior.”
That sounds like a
ringing endorsement, a reason to rush to dope seniors who have Alzheimer’s.
Surely there must
be a more solid foundation, a larger study that exhibited startling or even clear results that cannabis resulted in
improvement of moods, sleep, and behavior. How MUCH of an improvement? What were the parameters of the study that
caused this bill to be passed?
Oh! I missed this definitive
research in the StarTribune: “The Minnesota Department of Health announced
Monday that it was adding the degenerative neurological disorder to the
program, despite limited evidence on the effectiveness of treatment with
cannabis.”
Honestly? I don’t
understand this – patients who have been diagnosed with “hepatitis C, juvenile
rheumatoid arthritis, opioid use disorders, panic disorder, psoriasis and
traumatic brain injury” will get no relief from MaryJane.
Irritatingly, the
state I live in seems to be the target of some exciting business growth
opportunities: “Nic Easley, a national cannabis consultant and CEO of
Denver-based 3C Consulting, said that based on market growth, the industry in
Minnesota soon could prove lucrative for two to three players.”
Hmmm…I’m not
convinced this is a good thing. But what do I know? I’m just a bofwhig and a
Christian and not a terribly important demographic. While I understand it may alleviate
some of the conditions of Dad’s Alzheimer’s, “Some studies have found that
cannabis disrupts the tau proteins that are a hallmark of Alzheimer’s and
inhibit brain function. But they were only in animal models, said Petersen, who
directs the Mayo Clinic Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and serves as a
science adviser to the Alzheimer’s Association.”
In a coda that
didn’t make it to the headlines, Peterson added, “‘We have cured Alzheimer’s
disease time and time again’ — in lab and animal models, he said. ‘But that
hasn’t translated to humans yet.’”
Resources: http://alphanewsmn.com/republicans-applaud-addition-of-alzheimers-to-medical-marijuana-list/,
https://www.alzheimersanddementia.com/article/S1552-5260(17)30907-X/fulltext,
http://www.startribune.com/alzheimer-s-added-to-minnesota-s-medical-marijuana-list/501803661/,
https://mjbizdaily.com/what-are-the-medical-marijuana-business-hurdles-in-minnesota/
Image: https://www.meduniwien.ac.at/web/fileadmin/_processed_/e/1/csm_shutterstock_142671010_4683b6bf13.jpg
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