cannabisnews.com: Synthetic Marijuana Compound Reduces Agitation Synthetic Marijuana Compound Reduces Agitation Posted by CN Staff on August 20, 2003 at 06:49:41 PT For Immediate Release Source: EurekAlert Chicago, Ill. and Neptune, N.J. – Study results suggest dronabinol, a synthetic version of THC, the active ingredient in Cannabis sativa L (marijuana), may reduce agitation and lead to weight gain in patients with Alzheimer's disease, according to data presented today at the annual meeting of the International Psychogeriatric Association. "Our research suggests dronabinol may reduce agitation and improve appetite in patients with Alzheimer's disease, when traditional therapies are not successful," said Joshua Shua-Haim, M.D., lead investigator in the study and medical director of the Meridian Institute for Aging, a continuum of senior health programs and services in Central New Jersey affiliated with Meridian Health System. "In the study, dronabinol appeared to be safe and effective for these patients. The results point to a promising direction for future research." Dronabinol, marketed under the trade name Marinol, is synthetic delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9-THC). Delta-9-THC also is a naturally occurring component of Cannabis sativa L (marijuana). Dronabinol is the only cannabinoid approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is indicated for the treatment of anorexia in patients with HIV/AIDS and for the treatment of nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy. An estimated four million Americans have Alzheimer's disease and the number will grow to 14 million by 2050, according to the Alzheimer's Association. In addition to memory loss, patients often experience agitation, loss of body weight, depression and restlessness. Agitation is the most frequently encountered type of behavioral disturbance associated with Alzheimer's disease and affects an estimated 75 percent of people with the disease. Weight loss, a common problem in patients with Alzheimer's disease, is a predictive factor of mortality. Weight loss may derive from the deterioration of patients' cognitive abilities, resulting in an inability to recognize hunger and thirst. "It's important to look at all the aspects of Alzheimer's disease that contribute to quality of life for patients, family members and caregivers," said Dr. Shua-Haim. "Agitation and weight loss are upsetting and stressful as the patient's needs become ever more demanding." The study was a retrospective review and examined 48 patients (mean age = 77) residing in a dementia unit of an assisted living facility or a nursing home. All patients met the DSM-IV and NINCDS-ADRDA criteria for possible Alzheimer's disease and, according to their family or caregivers, had unsatisfactory control of their agitation. The mini mental status examination (MMSE), a test used to measure a person's basic cognitive skills, and an assessment of activities of daily living were used to evaluate patients prior to treatment with dronabinol and at one month. Patients initially received 5 mg/day of dronabinol in two doses. The treatment was titrated up to a maximum of 10 mg/day. In addition, all patients were treated with atypical neuroleptics and at least four medications to control behavior. The evaluation by caregivers following one month of treatment found 31 patients (66 percent) experienced a significant improvement in agitation. Functional improvement was observed in 33 (69 percent) of the patients. Prior to the study, all patients experienced weight loss and had been diagnosed with anorexia. After treatment with dronabinol, all patients (100 percent) had gained weight. No adverse events, such as falls, syncope, seizures or exacerbation of agitation or depression, were reported as a result of treatment. Meridian Health System is comprised of Jersey Shore Medical Center in Neptune, Medical Center of Ocean County in Brick, and Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank, in addition to long-term care and assisted living facilities, a home care agency, ambulatory care sites, ambulance services, and other related health services and affiliations throughout Monmouth and Ocean counties in New Jersey. Complete Title: Synthetic Marijuana Compound Reduces Agitation, Improves Appetite in Alzheimer's PatientsContact: Michael Valentino - mvalentino meridianhealth.comPhone: 732-751-7538Meridian Health System Source: EurekAlert Published: August 20, 2003Copyright: 2003 American Association for the Advancement of Science Website: http://www.eurekalert.org/Contact: mvalentino meridianhealth.comRelated Articles & Web Site:Alzforum Website - Marijuanahttp://www.alzforum.org/res/adh/hyp/#marijuanaHigh Times for Alzheimers http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14254.shtmlPharmos To Test Cannabis-Like Drug for Memory http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13551.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #3 posted by ekim on August 26, 2003 at 07:34:03 PT Arianna please attend this meeting Anyone that is hoping to lead the people of CA. should think about going to this event. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Petard on August 20, 2003 at 09:39:22 PT Gotta have their Medicare $ They can't just let a caregiver grow and roll MJ for the Alzheimers folks, there's no $ involved in that. Gotta have that synthetic, patented, trademarked, mass produced industrial product instead. Oooo, that smoking of mj MIGHT be bad for their health, nevermind that these folks average age is 77 and they have a degenerative brain disease and that smoking would provide them some nearly instaneous relief as well as introduce the other cannabinoids that may slow the degenerative effects of their disease. If there's no money in it, the study definitely would NOT be granted funding. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on August 20, 2003 at 06:56:38 PT Pain Management Conference Scheduled Tuesday, August 19, 2003By MS Live StaffYREKA - Each day health professionals, ranging from physicians, physicians assistants, nurses and social workers grapple with the complex issue of pain management. The complexities of treating pain are wide ranging, and techniques are being developed and improved on a regular basis.Last year, the Fairchild Medical Center and the Madrone Hospice, both located in Yreka, sponsored a pain management conference. In light of the success of last year's conference, another conference is being planned for this fall. The Siskiyou Pain Management Conference will take place on Friday, Sept. 19 at the Miner's Inn Convention Center, in Yreka.Katie Olivilo, a registered nurse with Madrone Hospice, says that a number of medical professionals working in the field of pain management will be at the conference, "We're having a physician from San Diego. She'll be talking about pain assessment, which they are calling 'the fifth vital sign.' She's going to be talking about different ways to assess different kinds of pain. We are having another physician coming who'll be talking about palliative care principles in managing pain, both during the palliative period and during the end of life issues as well."The question of pain management has seeped into the social and political arena. With the controversial issue of medicinal marijuana moving more and more into the courts, the concern physicians have over prescribing medical marijuana are not un-warranted. Olivilo says one speaker at September's Pain Management Conference will speak about medical marijuana, "A very interesting man is coming, he's a supervising investigator from The Medical Board of California, and he'll be talking about how to arrest pain without getting arrested. I think that should spark some interest since there has been so much controversy."The daylong Pain Management Conference will start Friday, Sept. 19 at 8:00 a.m. and wrap-up at 4:00 p.m. Also included in the $30.00 registration fee is a Thai lunch. The course will also offer six CME units for both doctors and nurses. At the end of the conference, participants will better understand California laws regarding the regulation of pain, know how to assess and define pain, and the principles involved in palliative care. Plus, they will learn how humor and laughter can be beneficial in helping to counteract stress and burnout. Pre-registration for this year's Siskiyou Pain Management Conference can be made by calling the Madrone Hospice at 842-3160, or by writing the Madrone Hospice at 255 Collier Circle, Yreka, Calif., 96097.http://www.mtshastalive.com/story.asp?HDR=15&FragID=25301 [ Post Comment ] Post Comment