As someone who had both parents suffer from some form of dementia prior to their passing away, I have some concern for my own mental capacity down the road. OK or now. BCTV had a story about a test that we can use if we are worried about ourselves or more likely our parents or grandparents.
The question that gave me pause was today’s date. I knew it was April 13 only because I worked today and had to sign in. As a retiree there are many days when I have to check a calendar. One time, when Mom and I were waiting in the doctor’s office before her appointment she asked me for the date. I must have looked oddly at her. She whispered conspiratorially, “He always asks me that question.”
A year or so later, when the problem was more severe, she got frustrated with the doctor when he asked her the date. “Now why the hell should I care what day it is”, she told him.
I can laugh now at some of the things, but at the time, it was very sad. The story said there are more and better drugs to combat Alzheimer’s but they work best in the early stages. This test may help catch it early.
Two new studies suggest that substances usually associated with dulling the mind – marijuana and red wine – may help ward off Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of age-related memory loss. Their addition comes as another study dethrones folk remedy ginkgo biloba as proof against the disease.
At a November meeting of the Society of Neuroscience in Washington, D.C., researchers from Ohio State University reported that THC, the main psychoactive substance in the cannabis plant, may reduce inflammation in the brain and even stimulate the formation of new brain cells.
Meanwhile, in the Nov. 21 issue of the Journal of Biological Chemistry, neurologist David Teplow of the University of California, Los Angeles reported that polyphenols – naturally occurring components of red wine – block the formation of proteins that build the toxic plaques thought to destroy brain cells. In addition, these substances can reduce the toxicity of existing plaques, thus reducing cognitive deterioration.
Together, the studies suggest scientists are gaining a clearer understanding of the mechanics of memory deterioration and discovering some promising approaches to prevention.
However UBC has come out with a recent study showing no benefit for marijuana. They were, however, using HU210, a synthetic cannabinoid. Would like to see this study done using natural cannabis.