CANNABIS BOOST FOR ALZHEIMERS

CANNABIS may reduce memory loss caused by Alzheimer's disease,
scientists claimed yesterday.

Rats given a synthetic drug similar to cannabis were better at
getting through a maze designed to test their memory.

Researchers think it is because of the drug's anti inflammatory properties.

Alzheimer's has been linked to chronic inflammation in previous studies.

Prof Gary Wenk said: "Old rats are pretty bad at navigating the maze.
It's like an elderly person trying to find his way around a house he
doesn't know.

"The compound significantly improved the older rats' memories. It's a
good prediction of how a human would respond."

Prof Wenk, of Ohio State University, Columbus, said people who smoked
cannabis in the 60s rarely got Alzheimer's.