Surprising Drug Combo May Slow Progression of Alzheimer’s Disease

Scientists are working around the clock to find ways to reduce the risk of or minimize symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, which affects approximately 7 million people in the U.S. The numbers are expected to rise to 12.7 million by 2050.

A new study has found that the compounds in marijuana, THC, when combined with Celebrex (celecoxib), an anti-inflammatory drug commonly prescribed for arthritis and pain, may offer clues to further medical research. When combined, the treatment improved cognitive performance in rats and reduced a few disease markers.

For the study, the research team administered 3 mg/kg of THC and 1 mg/kg of celecoxib per day to mice. This is basically the same as giving a 165-pound person 18 mg of THC and 6 mg of celecoxib per day. The researchers found few plaques and tangles, the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s diseases in the participants after receiving a daily dose for 30 days. The results were published in the journal Aging and Disease.

Researchers were pleased with the findings that a low dose of THC plus celecoxib might help people who have mild cognitive impairment.

This could quickly become a clinical trial.

“If you develop a new compound, it can take 10 to 20 years to reach patients,” said Chu Chen, PhD, a professor in the Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology and the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long Chair in neural physiology in the Long School of Medicine at The University of Texas at San Antonio, in a news release. “In this case, both drugs are already approved. That gives us a real advantage.”

Previous studies of THC alone confirmed similar results, but it also increased inflammation. Adding the anti-inflammatory medication was the key to this mystery.

Large clinical trials with human participants will help inform this line of research, but it appears to be a step in the right direction.