CBD increased survival and protected brain function in mice with cerebral malaria
CBD treatment prevented memory deficits and reduced brain inflammation in mice with cerebral malaria, increasing survival and rescuing cognitive function even after the disease peaked.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Researchers infected mice with a malaria parasite that causes cerebral malaria and treated them with CBD (30mg/kg/day). CBD-treated mice showed improved survival and were protected from the memory deficits and anxiety that normally accompany the disease.
At the peak of disease (day 5), infected mice showed increased inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha and IL-6) in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. CBD treatment reduced these inflammatory markers and increased BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) in the hippocampus, a protein essential for learning and memory.
The memory protection persisted even after the parasites were cleared with antimalarial drugs, suggesting CBD prevented lasting brain damage rather than just temporarily masking symptoms. The findings point to CBD's anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties as the mechanisms.
Key Numbers
CBD dose: 30mg/kg/day for 3 or 7 days. Assessed at day 5 post-infection (peak disease) and after parasite clearance. TNF-alpha and IL-6 reduced by CBD in hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. BDNF increased in hippocampus.
How They Did This
Controlled animal study using a mouse model of cerebral malaria. Female mice were infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA and treated with CBD, antimalarial artesunate, or combinations. Memory and anxiety were assessed using Novel Object Recognition, Morris Water Maze, Open Field, and Elevated Plus Maze tests. Brain cytokines and neurotrophins were measured.
Why This Research Matters
Cerebral malaria kills hundreds of thousands annually, and survivors often suffer permanent neurological damage. If CBD can prevent brain damage as an adjunct to antimalarial treatment, it could improve outcomes for survivors in resource-limited settings.
The Bigger Picture
CBD's neuroprotective effects in this malaria model align with findings from other disease models involving neuroinflammation. The common thread is CBD's ability to reduce brain inflammation and support neurotrophin production, which may have broad applications beyond any single disease.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Mouse model of cerebral malaria does not perfectly replicate human disease. CBD doses used may not translate directly to human dosing. The study was relatively small and used a single CBD dose level. Human clinical trials in malaria have not been conducted.
Questions This Raises
- ?Could CBD serve as adjunctive therapy for cerebral malaria in humans?
- ?Is the neuroprotective effect dose-dependent?
- ?Would CBD help prevent neurological damage in other infectious brain diseases?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- CBD increased BDNF and reduced inflammatory cytokines in brain
- Evidence Grade:
- Controlled animal study with multiple behavioral and molecular outcomes. No human data for this application.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2015. CBD neuroprotection research has expanded into other disease models since.
- Original Title:
- Cannabidiol increases survival and promotes rescue of cognitive function in a murine model of cerebral malaria.
- Published In:
- Neuroscience, 289, 166-80 (2015)
- Authors:
- Campos, A C(2), Brant, F, Miranda, A S, Machado, F S, Teixeira, A L
- Database ID:
- RTHC-00931
Evidence Hierarchy
Tests effects in animals (usually mice or rats), not humans.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Can CBD protect the brain from infection-related damage?
In this mouse study, CBD prevented memory deficits and brain inflammation caused by cerebral malaria. It increased a brain growth factor (BDNF) and reduced inflammatory markers. Whether this translates to humans with brain infections is not yet known.
How does CBD protect the brain?
In this study, CBD reduced inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha and IL-6) in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex while increasing BDNF, a protein that supports neuron survival and learning. This combination of anti-inflammatory and neurotrophic effects appeared to prevent lasting brain damage.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-00931APA
Campos, A C; Brant, F; Miranda, A S; Machado, F S; Teixeira, A L. (2015). Cannabidiol increases survival and promotes rescue of cognitive function in a murine model of cerebral malaria.. Neuroscience, 289, 166-80. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroscience.2014.12.051
MLA
Campos, A C, et al. "Cannabidiol increases survival and promotes rescue of cognitive function in a murine model of cerebral malaria.." Neuroscience, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroscience.2014.12.051
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Cannabidiol increases survival and promotes rescue of cognit..." RTHC-00931. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/campos-2015-cannabidiol-increases-survival-and
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.