Use of a Product Containing the Cannabinoids CBD and THC as a Treatment Strategy for Alzheimer's Disease - Alzheimer's Disease and Cannabis Clinical Trial (DAZACANN) Open-Label Phase

Overview

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) has become a significant public health issue due to the increase in its incidence from 2.0 to 16.8 cases per thousand people in a year, based on 2022 data. As many countries experience population aging, there is an increase in the prevalence of AD cases, which is the main form of dementia in the elderly. It commonly begins around the age of 60, with aging being the primary risk factor. AD is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the presence of extracellular beta-amyloid plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles of Tau protein. Among the main symptoms of AD is progressive memory loss, with varying degrees of cognitive impairment. These symptoms share common clinical features such as a progressive decline in cognitive functions, including abstract thinking, judgment, language, personality changes, and behavioral symptoms, as well as the emergence of certain comorbidities. As there are currently no curative treatments for this disease, pharmacotherapy aims to control the progressive symptoms, improving cognitive and functional aspects in patients, and consequently their quality of life. In this context, there is a need for further research to identify effective drugs that can delay or alleviate symptoms. This study is part of the second phase of the project entitled: Use of a Product Containing the Cannabinoids CBD and THC as a Treatment Strategy for Alzheimer's Disease - Alzheimer's Disease and Cannabis Clinical Trial (DAZACANN): A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial previously approved by the Human Ethics Committee - CEP (CAAE 60167722.6.0000.0107). The trial is being finalized at the Laboratory of Medicinal Cannabis and Psychedelic Science, located in the city of Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná, and will continue with a new experimental design, now as an open-label trial (all participants will receive the extract and will be informed about the formulation they are receiving). The objective of this study remains to evaluate the clinical and biochemical effects of using cannabinoid-based products with low doses of purified CBD and THC, both individually and in combination, in patients with AD.