Alzheimer’s Society comment on the announcement of human trials of cannabis-derived drugs.

There are encouraging findings from studies with animals suggesting that some cannabis derivatives may help protect nerve cells in the brain. We therefore look forward to robust clinical trials into potential benefits of non-psychoactive components of cannabis. It is important for people to note that these treatments are not same as recreational cannabis use which can be potentially harmful.

Professor Clive Ballard
Director of research

Interviews available on request

Note to editors:

For more information contact:
Hannah Clack (0207 423 3597 & 0786 123 8801)

The Alzheimer's Society is the leading care and research charity for people with all forms dementia and their carers. It provides information and education, support for carers, and quality day and home care. It funds medical and scientific research and campaigns for improved health and social services and greater public understanding of dementia.

The Alzheimer's Society provides a national help line on 0845 3000 336 and website http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/. Please include this information in any publication that uses these comments.

Background

Human trials of cannabis-based medicines will be announced on Monday at a joint symposium of the world's leading cannabis experts hosted by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain.  Over the last few years several groups in Spain, Italy, U.K. and the U.S. have shown that cannabidiol, a major non-psychoactive component of cannabis has anti-Alzheimer's effects in mice. Today, Professor Raphael Mechoulam from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Israel announces that the next stage will be human trials after the cannabidiol tests showed an improvement on memory loss on mice.  A joint symposium of the Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain is taking place on Monday 10th March 2008 to discuss the properties of cannabinoid and human trials.