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New Study Shows Cannabinoids May Delay Visual Deterioration, Prevent Blindness
A study conducted by the University of Alicante in Spain found that THC may help to slow down vision loss caused by retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Now we can add RP to the list of incurable, genetic conditions that cannabinoids are known to help, including glaucoma, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy and Alzheimer’s.
There is no known cure for RP, a degenerative eye disease that affects the young and old. RP is a form of retinal dystrophy that causes the photoreceptors in the eye to degenerate. It often affects the light receptors on the outside edge of the retina. Patients diagnosed with RP may have tunnel vision or not be able to see at night. Eventually RP may lead to blindness. So far the only thing that has consistently slowed this process is a daily dose of Vitamin A palmitate.
The study by Spanish researchers used a synthetic and highly concentrated form of THC they referred to as HU210. According to Nicolas Cuenca, PhD, the study’s lead investigator, HU210 has been proven to protect neural cells for a variety of brain and neurological conditions. Rats that were injected with HU210 performed significantly better on tasks that required visual coordination. The rats who received the cannaboids also had 40% more photoreceptors than untreated rats, as well as 70% greater sensitivity to light.
The new study titled “Neuroprotective Effects of the Cannabinoid Agonist HU210 on Retinal Degeneration” was published in the journal Experimental Eye Research last February. () As stated in the findings, “These data suggest that cannabinoids are potentially useful to delay the retinal degeneration in retinitis pigmentosa patients.”
Dr. Cuenca stresses that more research is still needed. The team was unable to pinpoint how the THC actually helps with retinal dystrophy. He also notes, “Systemic administration of HU210 would not be feasible because of its strong mood-altering effects.” The new medicine would probably come in the form of an eye drop so that nobody enjoys their treatment too much.
The US National Library of Medicine estimates that one in 4,000 Americans has RP, or about 100,000 people. This statistic makes RP one of the most common diseases of the eye in the US.
Source: http://truthisscary.com/2014/07/new-study-shows-cannabinoids-may-delay-visual-deterioration-prevent-blindness/
