THC May Improve Cognitive Function in Patients With Advanced Cancer
According to a new study, cognitive function improved in a group of patients with advanced cancer who took low-doses of dronabinol, a synthetic THC.
The study was published in the journal Palliative Medicine Reports, and it was epublished by the National Institute of Health. It was conducted by researchers at the North Denmark Regional Hospital and Aalborg University (also in Denmark).
“Cannabis may offer therapeutic benefits to patients with advanced cancer not responding adequately to conventional palliative treatment”, notes the study. “However, tolerability is a major concern. Cognitive function is a potential adverse reaction to tetrahydrocannabinol containing regimens.”
With that in mind, “The aim of this study was to test cognitive function in patients being prescribed dronabinol as an adjuvant palliative therapy.”
Adult patients with advanced cancer and severe related pain refractory to conventional palliative treatment were included in this case-series study.
“Patients were examined at baseline in conjunction with initiation of dronabinol therapy and at a two-week follow-up using three selected Wechsler’s adult intelligence scale III neurocognitive tests: Processing Speed Index (PSI), Perceptual Organization Index (POI), and Working Memory Index (WMI)”,states the study’s abstract. “Patients were also assessed using pain visual analog scale, Major Depression Inventory, and Brief Fatigue Inventory.”
For the study six patients were successfully treated with a daily dosage of “12.5 mg dronabinol (p = 0.039). PSI (p = 0.020), POI (p = 0.034.), and WMI (p = 0.039).
“The results of this study suggest that treating palliative cancer patients with dronabinol for 14 days does not impair cognition. Rather, it seems to improve cognition in different domains, including in speed of mental processing, nonverbal and in-the-moment reasoning, as well as short-term memory and working memory”, states the study. “Furthermore, results from this study suggest some improvements in multiple self-reported relevant measures of clinical state.”
The patients reported “a reduction in pain, depressive symptoms, and fatigue in conjunction with dronabinol treatment.”
The study concludes:
Cognitive function improved in this group of patients with advanced cancer in conjunction with low-dose dronabinol therapy. The cause is likely multifactorial including reported relief of cancer-associated symptoms. Further clinical investigation is required.
You can find the full text of the study by clicking here.
