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Bonn, Germany – A groundbreaking study led by researchers from University Hospital Bonn (UKB) and the University of Bonn, in collaboration with Hebrew University in Israel, has unveiled promising evidence that cannabis can reverse aging processes in the brain. Published in the journal ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science, the research highlights the potential of low-dose tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive component of cannabis, to combat brain aging by targeting the mTOR metabolic pathway.
The study demonstrates that long-term, low-dose THC administration not only rejuvenates cognitive functions but also exhibits anti-aging effects in the brain. The central player in this process is the protein mTOR (Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin), a key regulator of cell growth and metabolism that influences aging and cognitive performance.
“MTOR is a crucial intracellular sensor of energy and metabolism. While a reduction in mTOR activity is known to have a general anti-aging effect, it can paradoxically impair brain function by reducing synaptic plasticity and cognitive abilities,” explains Prof. Dr. Andreas Zimmer, Director of the Institute of Molecular Psychiatry at UKB and member of the Cluster of Excellence ImmunoSensation2 at the University of Bonn.
The researchers previously established that low-dose THC could restore cognitive abilities and synapse density in aging mice. However, whether THC’s effects were linked to changes in mTOR signaling and the metabolome remained unclear. The latest study clarifies this relationship, revealing a dual effect of THC on mTOR activity and metabolic processes.
According to Dr. Andras Bilkei-Gorzo from the Institute of Molecular Psychiatry at UKB, THC treatment induced a temporary increase in mTOR activity and levels of metabolites related to energy production and amino acids in the brain. This enhancement facilitated the synthesis of synaptic proteins and the formation of new synapses. Simultaneously, THC led to a significant reduction in mTOR activity and levels of amino acids and carbohydrate metabolites in adipose tissue and blood plasma, similar to the effects of a low-calorie diet or intense physical activity.
“Our findings suggest that THC’s initial cognitive enhancement stems from increased energy and synaptic protein production in the brain. Over time, THC’s anti-aging effects are attributed to reduced mTOR activity and metabolic changes in peripheral tissues,” says Bilkei-Gorzo. “This dual effect on mTOR and the metabolome may pave the way for developing effective anti-aging and cognition-enhancing therapies.”
The study, titled “Bidirectional Effect of Long-Term Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Treatment on mTOR Activity and Metabolome,” presents a novel approach to understanding and potentially mitigating age-related cognitive decline.
For further details, refer to the article published on August 14, 2024, in ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science (DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.4c00002).
