Effects of Dronabinol on anorexia and disturbed behavior in patients with Alzheimer's disease

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol for nighttime agitation in severe dementia

“…Others have suggested that dronabinol may have a favorable impact on anorexia and disturbed behavior in patients with Alzheimer's disease (Volicer et al 1997). The biometric data obtained in the present study corroborate these findings.…”

“…In addition, although our patients were in stable medical condition at the time of the trial, some of them had substantial comorbidities, such as moderate heart or kidney disease. Earlier trials of oral dronabinol have reported dosedependent side effects, including drowsiness, dizziness, dysphoria, hypotension, hallucinations, headaches, and palpitations Svendsen et al 2004;Tramer et al 2001;Volicer et al 1997). It is reassuring to note that we were unable to observe any side effects due to dronabinol or any aggravation of heart or kidney disease in our patients.…”

“…CB 1 receptor agonists are currently used in the treatment of Tourette's syndrome (Muller-Vahl et al 2003a,b), multiple sclerosis (Svendsen et al 2004), pain , and nausea in patients receiving chemotherapy . One preliminary study has indicated that dronabinol may be effective in alleviating anorexia and behavioral disturbances in AD patients (Volicer et al 1997). To date, however, biometric instruments have not been used to corroborate such findings.…”

Current and Future Therapies for Alzheimer Disease

“…Encouraging data have emerged that Dronabinol, an oil-based D 9 -THC, improves disturbed behavior in AD patients [365,366]. The proposed site of action of cannabinoids are the NMDA receptors, possibly via inhibition of presynaptic Ca 2+ entry and subsequent inhibition of excessive glutaminergic synaptic activity [367,368].…”

Cannabinoide in der Palliativtherapie des Anorexie-Kachexie-Syndroms

“…Die Autoren schlussfolgern, dass Dronabinol bei Patienten mit Morbus Alzheimer eine mögliche neue Therapieoption darstellt, und zwar nicht nur zur Behandlung einer Anorexie, sondern auch um z. B. Konzentrations-und Merkfähigkeit zu verbessern[23].…”