Posted on 10/06/2001 2:28:58 PM PDT by jern
Research at the Hebrew University in Israel, reported in the journal Nature, shows that a cannabinoid, similar to the active ingredient found in marijuana and produced in the brains of many animals, protects mice from brain injury.
Mice that sustained brain injuries were discovered to have elevated levels of a compound known as 2-Arachodonoyl glycerol, or 2-AG. Theorizing that this cannabinoid was produced to prevent damage, the researchers administered more of the compound to injured mice and found it protected the brain.
Treatment
Currently, there is no effective drug for the treatment of traumatic brain injury. In the U.S., there are nearly 52,000 deaths and roughly 80,000 cases of severe disability related to traumatic brain injury every year.
There are more than 5.3 million people in the U.S. living with disabilities related to traumatic brain injury — numbers far greater than those for multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.
"Brain injury is not a one-shot deal. The primary injury occurs from the initial hit. Neurochemical injuries can cause secondary damage," said Dr. Ken Strauss of Temple University.
The secondary effects of brain injuries, such as swelling and the release of toxic chemicals, can be more damaging than the initial blow, said Dr. Esther Shohami, lead author of the study.
The cannabinoid, 2-AG, is believed to work in three ways. First, it reduces the levels of glutamate, a toxic molecule, released after injury. Second, it decreases the amount of free radicals and TNF (a chemical that induces inflammation) after injury. Third, it increases the blood supply to the brain. All three mechanisms are essential for limiting the damage done after the primary injury.
"The dose has to be very carefully controlled," Dr. Shohami said — noting that requirement is one of a number of reasons why marijuana, which can vary in potency, would likely be an unreliable treatment for head injuries.
She added that 2-AG must be administered within a four- to six-hour window after the injury to be effective.
Use in Humans
Although 2-AG has only been tested on animals, Dr. Shohami said she didn't "see any problems with using a drug from this family to treat patients." Other cannabinoids have been approved for use in humans, such as synthetic forms of THC used to stimulate appetite.
In fact, one pharmaceutical company is trying to develop a similar drug for humans. With the help of researchers at the Hebrew University, Pharmos is set to begin the final stage of clinical trials of Dexanabinol — a drug that is essentially the mirror image of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana. Because it is not exactly like THC, it does not bind to the same part of the brain, and therefore does not have the unwanted side effects.
However, the drug appears to exert effects similar to other cannabinoids on the brain after injury — that is, a decrease in toxic chemicals and swelling. The first two phases of clinical trials were completed in Israel to test for safety. The third and final phase of the trials is set to begin in Europe in January, followed closely by trials in the U.S.
"Helmets are for preventing primary injury, and hopefully this work can protect people from the secondary effects," Dr. Strauss said.
All they have to do is compare the brain damage of the 40 percent of MVA's with brain damage who test positive for THC and compare them with a control group, like the 50 % who test postive for alcohol (alas, about 30 percent test positive for both)
I figure this is similar to the "high dose phenobarbital coma prevents brain edema" that was the fad about ten years ago. It will be the rage for awhile, then sink. After all, what kills the brain cells is cerebral edema: brain swelling inside a skull that doesn't stretch so the swollen brain squeezes of the blood vessels and dies. THC does not stop edema in anyone's book.
Once again proving that God's cure is the best cure.
I am so sick of these Man-Gods who have decided that they are soooooooo much smarter than God
and have decided that He isn't as smart as He thinks He is.
So what if the Bible says God gave us all the leaf bearing plants for Our Use!
Man is sooo much smarter now and man has got a better plan. ROTFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Regulation of plants is Insane and a gift from Satan.
I have chosen which side I am on.
Now if we can just convince the "Tax Paid" Drug Warriors they are working for the wrong guy.
You take care,
CATO
LOL!!!
CATO
To make matters worse, it is usually the people who claim to be closet to God, who so vehemently want to destroy his own creation. Couple this with the beatification of the Omnipotent state, and I'd say the these devoutly religious people have pretty much peverted, what is otherwise a wonderfully spiritual journey -- courtesy of The Creator.
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