Cannabidiol, better known as CBD, is gaining attention from scientists studying Alzheimer's disease. New research suggests the cannabis-derived compound may help reduce harmful inflammation in the brain, a process increasingly believed to play a major role in Alzheimer's progression.
Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, a condition that gradually damages memory, thinking, and behavior. For years, most Alzheimer's research has focused on the buildup of amyloid plaques and tau tangles in the brain. These abnormal protein clumps are considered hallmark signs of the disease. However, many researchers now believe chronic inflammation in the brain may also be a key factor driving nerve cell damage.
CBD and Brain Inflammation
Inflammation is part of the body's natural immune response. In the brain, immune cells normally help protect neurons and clear away harmful debris. But when inflammation becomes chronic, it can begin damaging healthy brain tissue instead. This ongoing immune overactivation, often called neuroinflammation, has been linked to Alzheimer's disease and several other neurological disorders.
In a new study published in eNeuro, researchers led by Babak Baban from Augusta University investigated whether CBD could help calm this damaging inflammatory response in the brain.
