CBD, a non-psychoactive compound found in cannabis, has been demonstrated to restore the function of two proteins that are key to reducing the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaque, a major component in Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, researchers were able to show that CDB improved cognition in an experimental model of early-onset familial Alzheimer’s.
Dr. Babak Baban, associate dean for research at the Dental College of Georgia and study author, reported for the first time that CBD normalizes levels and function of proteins TREM2 and IL-33. Both of these proteins are important to the brain’s immune cells to remove dead cells and other debris.
A two-week course of high doses of CBD helps restore the function of two proteins key to reducing the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaque, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease, and improves cognition in an experimental model of early-onset familial Alzheimer's, investigators report.
CBD also improved the expression of a triggering receptor expressed on or TREM2, where it combines with another protein to transmit signals that activate cells, including immune cells. In the brain, its expression is on the microglial cells, which are key immune components to eliminate invaders like a virus and irrevocably damaged neurons.