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Oral THC did not impact neuropsychiatric symptoms among patients with dementia

Results from a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study indicate that while daily receipt of oral tetrahydrocannabinol was well-tolerated, it did not positively or negatively affect neuropsychiatric symptoms among patients with dementia.

Geke A. H. van den Elsen, MD, of the Radboud University Medical Center in Nijmegen, Netherlands, and colleagues randomized 50 patients with dementia to receive 1.5 mg of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or placebo three times daily for 3 weeks. THC was in tablet form (Namisol, Echo Pharmaceuticals). Researchers assessed changes in neuropsychiatric symptoms, agitated behavior and aggression, daily living/quality of life and safety at baseline and at 14 and 21 days.

Geke A. H. van den Elsen

Neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI) scores decreased among both treatment groups at 14 days (P = .002, respectively) and 21 days (P = .003 for THC group; P = .001 for placebo).

There were no differences between treatment groups regarding agitation, aberrant motor behavior and other NPI subdomains, except for eating disorders. Patients who received placebo had better NPI scores for eating disorders compared with patients who received THC.

Incidence of adverse events was similar among treatment groups, with 66.7% of the THC group and 53.8% of placebo group reporting at least one adverse event.

Heart rate, blood pressure and weight did not change among treatment groups.

Patients who received THC did not report feeling “high” and were not observed as behaving high, according to caregivers and researchers.

“Since the side effects were mild to moderate, it’s possible that a higher dose could be tolerated and could possibly be beneficial,” van den Elsen said in a press release. “Future studies are needed to test this. A drug that can treat the behavioral symptoms of dementia is much needed, as about 62% of dementia patients in the general community and up to 80% of nursing home residents experience these symptoms.” – by Amanda Oldt

Disclosure: van den Elsen reports receiving financial support from the European Regional Development Fund for this study. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.