Researchers have discovered that a component of marijuana, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), can preserve the levels of acetylcholine, a key neurotransmitter in the brain, and may therefore slow down the progression of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Like existing medications for AD, the compound THC acts by inhibiting the enzyme, acetylcholinesterase, which breaks down acetylcholine. THC seems to be far superior to currently approved drugs, though, as THC also prevents formation of the amyloid plaques that are a hallmark of AD and its damage to the brain.

The scientists say that THC may be a drug lead which may be used as a model to develop new and more effective therapeutics for Alzheimer's Disease.

The results of the study exploring the molecular link between marijuana and alzheimer's disease were published in ACS' Molecular Pharmaceutics.