"There are therapies that can help replenish depleted levels of dopamine and provide symptomatic relief, but none can reverse, prevent, or delay the progression of Parkinson's disease," says Giuffrida. "Our research shows that marijuana-like compounds may be able to answer this need."
In the study, researchers examined whether a marijuana-like compound designed to activate cannabinoid receptors, WIN 55212-2, could protect brain cells from degenerating in a Parkinson's mouse model, known as MPTP-treated mouse. These animals are given an injection of the toxin MPTP, which kills dopamine brain cells and induces symptoms seen in Parkinson's disease. The mice received a single injection of WIN 55212-2 30 minutes before the MPTP injection.
"We found that the brains of mice treated with the marijuana-like compound were almost indistinguishable from the brains of healthy mice," says Giuffrida.
As a next step, the researchers are testing whether the marijuana-like compounds have neuroprotective value when brain cell damage is already present and whether they can prevent the progression of brain cell loss. "Learning more about the mechanisms by which marijuana-like compounds may slow down or prevent neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease may translate into new pharmacological treatments that could fight this disorder in its earliest stages," adds Giuffrida.
Another new animal study finds that drugs often prescribed for mild pain, like the pain from a tooth extraction, create greater pain relief when combined with a marijuana-like compound. If confirmed in humans, the combination strategy could be a boon to those with persistent pain conditions.
Persistent pain is notoriously difficu
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Contact: Leah Ariniello
dawn@sfn.org
202-462-6688
Society for Neuroscience
26-Oct-2004