These findings suggest that CBD has beneficial effects in patients with schizophrenia. As CBD's effects do not appear to depend on dopamine receptor antagonism, this agent may represent a new class of treatment for the disorder.

Late-life major depression is a high-incidence and difficult-to-treat affective disorder. Diagnosis of major depression in old age could also could be a challenge, due to aspects like (1) there is a higher vulnerability to the stigma of depression in this population, (2) hypochondriac ideation and somatic symptoms are the main symptoms, while depressive disposition or anhedonia are under-reported by such patients, (3) differential diagnosis includes various organic diseases, but also several psychiatric disorders, like neurocognitive disorders, organic affective disorders, drug induced affective disorders etc. Reduction of social relationships caused by retirement and loss of spouse and friends, as well as a decrease of personal income could precipitate or maintain depressive disorders during late-life. Quality of life in patients diagnosed with depressive major disorders is a rarely monitored parameter, although its importance for case management could not be overemphasized. A reduction of life quality correlates with a poorer functional prognosis, persistence of neglected residual symptoms, low adherence to treatment plan.

BackgroundBoth preclinical and human research suggest that cannabidiol (CBD) has antipsychotic properties. This study assessed the safety and effectiveness of CBD in patients with schizophrenia.MethodsPatients with schizophrenia (n=88) were randomized to receive CBD (1000 mg/day) or placebo alongside their existing antipsychotic medication for 6 weeks. Participants were assessed before and after treatment using the PANSS, BACS, GAF scales, and the CGI Improvement and Severity scales.ResultsCompared those given placebo, patients treated with CBD had lower levels of positive psychotic symptoms (PANSS; p=0.02), and were more likely to have been rated by clinicians as improved (CGI-I; p=0.02) and as not severely unwell (CGI-S; p=0.04). Patients who received CBD also showed trends for greater improvements in cognitive performance (BACS; p=0.07) and in overall functioning (GAF; p=0.08). There was no difference in the frequency of CBD of adverse events between CBD and placebo.DiscussionThese data suggest that CBD has beneficial effects in patients with schizophrenia and is not associated with significant adverse effects.

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