Neuroprotection, cannabis

Until recently, there was little clear evidence that cannabis use was toxic to neurons. Cannabinoids have been shown to have a mix of neurotoxic and neuroprotective effects and mixed results have been found in different studies. Scallet (1991) points out significant methodological differences in the existing studies that influence their outcomes. Critical determinants of neurotoxicity are both age during exposure and duration of exposure. For example, cannabinoid administration was required for at least three months (8-10% of a rat s lifespan) to produce neurotoxic effects in peripubertal rodents. This is comparable to about three years exposure in rhesus monkeys and seven to ten years in humans. Reports of neurotoxicity in primates were inconsistent, with up to 12 months of daily exposure. Longer exposures have not yet been studied (Scallet 1991). 

CS298 luvone, T., G. Esposito, R. Esposito, R. Santamaria, M. Di Rosa, and A. A. Izzo. Neuroprotective effect of cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive component from Cannabis sativa, on beta-amyloid-induced toxicity in PCI2 cells. J Neurochem 2004 89(1) 134-141. CS299 Ng, R. S., D. A. Darko, and R. M. 

Cherian L, Goodman JC, Robertson C (2007) Neuroprotection with erythropoietin administration following controlled cortical impact injury in rats. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 322 789-794 Childers SR, Breivogel CS (1998) Cannabis and endogenous cannabinoid systems. Drug Alcohol Dependence 51 173-187... 

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