With marijuana use surging among older adults, researchers are uncovering how it may influence age-related cognitive decline.
A new study, published by the National Library of Medicine and as a preprint in bioRxiv, reveals that cannabis and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9THC) may enhance working memory in aged individuals without worsening other cognitive impairments.
The study concluded that “cannabis and Δ9THC can attenuate working memory impairments that emerge in aging” while not exacerbating hippocampus-related cognitive decline.
Researchers tested the effects of cannabis via acute smoke exposure and chronic oral Δ9THC in aged and young rats of both sexes. They found that cannabis smoke improved prefrontal cortex-dependent working memory in aged male rats but impaired it in aged females, while young adults of either sex remained unaffected.
Similarly, oral Δ9THC enhanced working memory in aged rats of both sexes without any significant effect on young adults. Importantly, neither method impacted hippocampus-dependent spatial learning and memory in any group.
These findings suggest cannabis could offer therapeutic benefits for aging populations, warranting further investigation into its potential to address age-related cognitive challenges.
