Oral cannabis treatment reduced agitation in late-stage dementia patients

A clinical trial tested an oral cannabis formulation containing 2 milligrams of THC and 100 milligrams of CBD given twice daily to 120 adults experiencing clinically significant agitation from late-stage dementia. Within two weeks, nearly 84 percent of participants receiving the treatment showed improvement in agitation symptoms.

After 12 weeks, nearly 90 percent of treated participants demonstrated overall improvement. In the same period, 30 percent of participants on placebo showed fewer signs of agitation at two weeks, falling to 23 percent at 12 weeks.

The trial also demonstrated that individuals with late-stage dementia can participate in clinical research, according to the published results. More than half of people living with dementia experience agitation, which can include emotional distress, excessive motor activity, and verbal or physical tension.

Common prescription medications such as benzodiazepines, opioids, and antipsychotics are not always effective and carry significant risks.

statements “We now have evidence supporting a new and very effective treatment approach for agitation that may be appropriate for people in the final stages of dementia at the end of life,” the lead investigator said in a press release. “These results not only highlight a promising therapeutic option, but also underscore the importance of prioritizing attention, care and research for individuals in mid- and late-stage Alzheimer’s and related dementias,” an Alzheimer’s Association vice president said in a press release.

More than 7 million Americans currently have Alzheimer’s disease, a figure projected to nearly double by 2060.