Testing an Alzheimer's drug to counteract cognitive effects of cannabis use
In a small pilot trial, the Alzheimer's drug galantamine was safe and well-tolerated in people with cannabis use disorder, but did not improve cognition beyond what was seen with placebo.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Both the galantamine and placebo groups showed modest improvements in response inhibition and attention over 10 days. Cannabis withdrawal and craving decreased over time in both groups. No significant treatment effect or treatment-by-time interaction was found for galantamine versus placebo.
Key Numbers
30 participants (73.5% male, 26.5% female). 8 mg/day galantamine dose. 10-day treatment period. 3 cognitive assessments. 6 time points for self-reported measures.
How They Did This
Randomized, double-blind, parallel-group trial with 30 participants with cannabis use disorder. Participants received either 8 mg/day galantamine or placebo for 10 days, with cognitive assessments at three time points.
Why This Research Matters
As cannabis use and THC concentrations increase, finding ways to counteract cognitive effects becomes more relevant. This pilot establishes that galantamine is at least safe in this population.
The Bigger Picture
Cognitive concerns are among the most commonly cited reasons people seek treatment for cannabis use disorder. If a medication could address cognitive effects, it might support recovery efforts.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Very small sample size (30 participants). Short treatment duration (10 days). The 8 mg/day dose was the lowest therapeutic dose, and higher doses might produce different results. No acute cannabis intoxication was tested.
Questions This Raises
- ?Would higher galantamine doses or longer treatment produce cognitive benefits?
- ?Would the drug help during acute cannabis intoxication rather than during abstinence?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 30 participants, no significant treatment effect
- Evidence Grade:
- Randomized controlled design, but underpowered pilot study with very small sample.
- Study Age:
- 2019 pilot study.
- Original Title:
- Feasibility and effects of galantamine on cognition in humans with cannabis use disorder.
- Published In:
- Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior, 181, 86-92 (2019)
- Authors:
- Sugarman, Dawn E, De Aquino, Joao P(12), Poling, James(2), Sofuoglu, Mehmet
- Database ID:
- RTHC-02309
Evidence Hierarchy
Participants are randomly assigned to treatment or placebo groups to test cause and effect.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Can galantamine help with cannabis-related cognitive problems?
This small pilot trial found no evidence that galantamine improved cognition in people with cannabis use disorder, though the drug was safe and well-tolerated.
Did cannabis craving decrease in the study?
Yes, cannabis withdrawal and craving decreased over the 10-day study period in both the galantamine and placebo groups.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-02309APA
Sugarman, Dawn E; De Aquino, Joao P; Poling, James; Sofuoglu, Mehmet. (2019). Feasibility and effects of galantamine on cognition in humans with cannabis use disorder.. Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior, 181, 86-92. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pbb.2019.05.004
MLA
Sugarman, Dawn E, et al. "Feasibility and effects of galantamine on cognition in humans with cannabis use disorder.." Pharmacology, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pbb.2019.05.004
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Feasibility and effects of galantamine on cognition in human..." RTHC-02309. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/sugarman-2019-feasibility-and-effects-of
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.