Efficacy and safety of cannabinoid-based interventions for behavioral and cognitive symptoms in dementia: systematic review and meta-analysis.
Gabriel Caruso Novaes Tudella, Augusto Utida Klostermann, Giovana Menegucci et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of cannabinoid-based interventions for behavioral and cognitive symptoms in dementia, analyzing nine randomized controlled trials with 334 participants. The study found no significant improvement in agitation, neuropsychiatric symptoms, or cognition, with cannabinoids associated with increased somnolence (RR 2.03).
Key findings
- Cannabinoids did not improve agitation (SMD -0.58, 95% CI -1.71 to 0.55).
- No significant effect on neuropsychiatric symptoms (SMD -0.02, 95% CI -1.00 to 0.96).
- Cognition showed no improvement (SMD 0.86, 95% CI -16.33 to 18.06).
- Somnolence was more frequent with cannabinoids (RR 2.03, 95% CI 1.29-3.20).
Why it matters
The findings suggest that cannabinoid-based therapies do not provide meaningful benefits for managing behavioral and cognitive symptoms in dementia, highlighting the need for alternative treatment options. Clinicians should be cautious in recommending these therapies.