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The terms 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 Society (@alzheimerssoc) July 21, 2018
By Tara Bahrampour
Synthetic According to the new study presented Tuesday at the International Conference of the Alzheimer's Association in Chicago, marijuana and brighter lights could help improve the lives of people with dementia.
Alzheimer's disease and related dementias are best known for cognitive impairment. But a host of other symptoms – agitation, anxiety, depression and insomnia – reduce the quality of life of patients, create more challenges for caregivers and are the main causes of placement in assisted living or care homes nurses.
The Food and Drug Administration has not approved any drug treatment for these symptoms, although some pharmaceuticals, such as antipsychotics, approved for 39 Other diseases are prescribed for patients with Alzheimer's. . However, they are associated with an increase in apathy, strokes and deaths.
But a synthetic form of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active chemical of marijuana, has been found to be safe and effective in treating agitation, lack of appetite and restlessness. Other Behavioral Symptoms In the study, 39 people with moderate to severe Alzheimer's dementia received nabilone, a synthetic form of THC that was easier to regulate and available in capsule form. for six weeks, and placebo for six weeks. During their nabilone treatment, their level of agitation and their neuropsychiatric symptoms decreased while their appetite improved, as demonstrated by clinical tests and caregiver reports. "We are excited because we think this opens a new door to cannabinoids, treatment of agitation in Alzheimer's disease," said Krista Lanctot, professor of psychiatry and pharmacology-toxicology at the University of Toronto. 39, University of Toronto.
Capsules are approved to treat nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy; This is the first clinical trial in which it is administered to patients with Alzheimer's disease, says Lanctot.
Similar to recreational marijuana, the synthetic version reduces pain and anxiety and increases appetite. The fuzzy brain associated with recreational use is not really a concern when treating patients with Alzheimer's disease because they already have memory problems, Lanctot said. And the synthetic form, which is modified to be less powerful, can also have effects that prevent neurons from dying, she said.
Lanctot said that she hoped to obtain funds for a larger trial; a trial of 10 people on another synthetic cannabinoid begins in the United States.
Meanwhile, she cautioned people not to confuse synthetic drugs with each other. "We do not want anyone giving marijuana because she thinks it will help," she said.
In another study presented Tuesday, scientists from the Lighting Research Center of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute presented a lighting system.
Researchers offered nursing home residents a bright, blue-white light during the day and a lighter yellow-white light in the evening to better mimic the light of the body. circadian rhythms. Forty-three residents participated in a four-week study and 37 in a six-month study. Both used a custom LED light table or individual room lighting, and individual photometers measured exposure to light received by patients. Sleep disturbances, mood and agitation were also measured and found to be reduced in both groups during the illumination intervention.
The results could lead institutions across the country to rethink their lighting design. Most retirement homes have "horrible, very low continuous light continues" that does not change during the day, said Mariana Figueiro, director of the center. Such lighting negatively affects the body's production of melatonin, which helps people sleep.
The standards in most facilities are based on people able to see, which is different from the amount needed for your biological clock. the light also saves energy. But with technological advances, many installations are now turning to LEDs, which are energy efficient and whose color and intensity are easier to regulate than incandescent or fluorescent lamps.
The research on lighting corresponds to the recommendations of the Alzheimer's Association. alternatives to medications, including validation that a person seems to be upset and make sure that they are doing regular physical activity.
The fact that patients' symptoms continue to improve even during a longer study was particularly encouraging, said Figueiro The symptoms of Alzheimer's disease may worsen.
"Six months is long in the life of a patient with Alzheimer's," she said. "They are in decline, and yet we are continually seeing improvement with light."
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