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Synthetic marijuana and brighter lights could help improve the lives of people with dementia, according to new research presented by the Alzheimer's Association International Conference in Chicago.
Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders . Aimed at a host of symptoms – including restlessness, anxiety, depression, and insomnia – reduce patients' quality of life,
The United States of America, United States of America, United States of America . However, they are badociated with increased apathy, strokes and deaths.
A synthetic form of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active chemical in marijuana, was found to be safe and effective in treating agitation, lack of appetite and other behavioral symptoms. inpementia patients, according to a new study of the University of Toronto.
In the trial, 39 people with moderate to severe Alzheimer's dementia received nabilone, a synthetic form of THC that is easier to regulate and is available in capsule form for six weeks, and a placebo for six weeks. While on nabilone, their agitation levels and neuropsychiatric symptoms were reduced while their appetite improved, as they were exhibited in both clinical tests and caregiver reports.
"We're excited because we think this opens up a new door for cannabinoids as a group for Treating agitation in Alzheimer's disease, "said Krista Lanctot, professor of psychiatry and pharmacology-toxicology at the University of Toronto.
The capsules are approved to treat nausea and vomiting badociated with chemotherapy; This is the first clinical trial in which it is being given to Alzheimer's patients, Lanctot said.
Similar to recreational marijuana, the synthetic version reduces pain and anxiety and increases appetite. The fuzzy brain is not really a problem when treating Alzheimer's patients, because they have had memory problems, Lanctot said. And the synthetic form, which is modified to be less potent, can also have effects that prevent neurons from dying, she said.
Lanctot In the Meantime, In the meantime, she was born in the United States.
"We do not want someone going out and giving grandma marijuana because they think it's going to help," she said.
In another study presented Tuesday, scientists from the Lighting Research Center at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute presented findings on a lighting system
The terms of dementia and Alzheimer 's disease are often confused with each other. We explain the difference between the two, and what they both mean. Learn more here: https://t.co/6irffOBFnv pic.twitter.com/dTyykIbknh
– Alzheimer's Society (@alzheimerssoc) July 21, 2018
Researchers provided nursing home Residents with bright, blue-white light during the day and dimmer yellow-white light in the evening to better mimic the body's circadian rhythms. Forty-three residents participated in a four-week study and 37 in a six-month study. Both used a custom-designed LED light table or individual room lighting, and personal light meters measured the light exposure received by patients' eyes. Sleep disturbance, mood, and agitation were all measured in the light of the lighting intervention.
The findings could be made throughout the country by their lighting design. Most nursing homes have "horrible, very low continuous dim light" that does not change during the course of the day, said Mariana Figueiro, the center's director. Such lighting negatively affects the body's production of melatonin, which helps people to sleep.
light also saves energy. But with advances in LEDs, which are energy-efficient and whose color is easier to regulate than incandescent gold fluorescent lights.
The lighting research fits with the Alzheimer's Association's recommendations for using non-pharmacologic
The fact that patients' symptoms continued to be particularly encouraging, Figueiro said, Alzheimer's symptoms can
"Six months is a long time in the life of an Alzheimer's patient," she said. "They're declining, and yet we're still seeing an improvement with the light."
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