CANNABIDIOL IN ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE: A MULTI-TARGET APPROACH TO PATHOLOGY AND COGNITIVE DYSFUNCTION

Cannabidiol (CBD), the second most abundant phytocannabinoid in Cannabis sativa, has garnered significant interest due to its non-psychoactive nature and diverse receptor interactions. This study employs in vitro and in vivo methodologies to validate CBD's potential as a treatment for Alzheimer's disease (AD) by addressing key hallmarks of the condition and promoting neuroprotective effects on spatial memory. The study reveals CBD's capacity to partially revert neurite formation loss induced by Aβ, Tau, and pTau proteins, suggesting a potential role in promoting neuronal plasticity as well as an increased neuronal viability in the presence of AD-associated protein aggregates. Our findings also demonstrate CBD's ability to decrease pTau and Aβ axonal transport between cortical and hippocampal neurons. Notably, daily CBD injections (10 mg/Kg) for 28 days in 5xFAD mice resulted in significant improvements in both short- and longterm spatial memory and better motility in C. elegans CL2006 strain. These multifaceted effects of CBD, ranging from molecular-level modulation to behavioral improvements, underscore its potential as a comprehensive therapeutic approach for AD. The findings not only support CBD's neuroprotective properties but also highlight its ability to target multiple pathological processes simultaneously, offering a promising avenue for future AD treatment strategies.