Effects of THC-Free CBD Oil on Agitation in Patients With Alzheimer's Disease

Summary

This is a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover trial that aims to 1) determine the efficacy of THC-free cannabidiol (CBD oil) in reducing the severity of agitation among participants and 2) determine whether THC-free CBD oil can reduce the burden on caregivers and increase the participants' quality of life.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

* Males/females over 50 years old.
* Have a diagnosis of dementia due to AD or mixed AD with another type of dementia.
* A Mini-Mental State Exam score (MMSE) between 4 and 28 inclusive.
* Presence of agitation with a Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI)-agitation/aggression subscore \> 3.
* Participants and their informal caregivers must be fluent in English (includes reading, writing, and speech) and able to give informed consent.
* For patients treated with cognitive-enhancing medications (cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEI) and/or memantine), the dosage must be stable for at least 1 month (30 days). If the ChEI and/or memantine has been discontinued, patients may enroll after 15 days.
* Eligible caregivers must either live with the participant or have a minimum of 4 hours of daily contact with them.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosis of non-AD or non-mixed dementias.
* Very mild dementia or advanced dementia (MMSE: greater than 28 or less than 4).
* NPI-agitation-aggression score \< 3.
* Having a serious or unstable medical illness including cardiovascular, hepatic, renal, respiratory, endocrine, neurologic or hematologic disease which might confound assessment of safety outcomes as determined by the study physician.
* Presence or history of other serious psychiatric disorders or neurological conditions (e.g. psychotic disorders, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia).
* Current abuse of/dependence on marijuana, current drug abuse, current alcohol abuse.
* Having seizure disorders.
* Pregnant or breastfeeding
* Indication of baseline delirium as determined by the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM).
* Current use of lithium.
* Inability to swallow CBD oil softgels.
* Changes in dosage of anti-depressives within 4 weeks before randomization and during the study.
* Changes in dosage of antipsychotics or benzodiazepines within 1 week prior to randomization and during the study.
* Contraindications to CBD oil (history of hypersensitivity to any cannabinoid).
* Frequent falling due to orthostatic hypotension.
* Use of tricyclic antidepressants (TCA), fluoxetine, and/or carbamazepine. -Patients who reside in nursing homes.

Conditions4

Interventions1

Locations1 site

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