Scientists from the University of Kentucky (UK) are set to embark on a ground-breaking study which will explore the benefits of administering cannabis-based medicines to patients living with late-stage dementia.
Care providers are restricted by the small number of treatment options available for controlling the symptoms of late-stage dementia such as agitation, fear and distress. These symptoms often occur when patients are in the end-of-life stage and can cause substantial emotional distress for patients, their families and caregivers.
“Until we find a cure for dementias, there will always be a stage where the focus shifts to comfort and quality of life,” said Greg Jicha, a neurologist and director of clinical trials at UK’s Sanders-Brown Center on Aging. “Unfortunately, our current methods — such as sedatives and antipsychotics — often come with significant side effects. We need options that allow patients to remain alert, engaged and cared for at home or in skilled facilities.”
The double-blind study has been named LiBBY (Life’s-end Benefits of cannaBidiol and tetrahYdrocannabinol). Libby is also the name of a patient who had late-stage dementia. It was the story of her family’s struggle to find alternative treatments to the anti-psychotic and sedative medicines Libby was being administered that inspired the research.
To qualify for the study, individuals must be eligible for hospice care, diagnosed with any type of dementia, show symptoms of agitation and distress, be 40 years of age and older, and have a study partner.
Participants’ study partners will accompany them to their study appointments at one of the multiple sites across the USA. Researchers will also make in-house appointments when necessary.
The study will take place over 12 weeks and involve half of the participants being given a medicine made up of a combination of THC and CBD, and the other half being given a placebo. After the 12 weeks have finished the participants in the placebo group will also be offered the cannabis medicine so all can benefit from it.
Researchers claim the LiBBY study is the first of its kind to “focus on improving the quality of end-of-life stages for people with agitation and dementia and examine the “ability of THC and CBD to decrease agitation in patients with dementia who are eligible for hospice care”. The results of this study could help provide data to further develop cannabis medicine so that it can be tailored specifically to the needs of those living with late-stage dementia.
This story first appeared on leafie, view here
Author: Kevin Dinneen
