Myelin is the protective coating that surrounds nerve fibers and helps electrical signals move efficiently through the brain and spinal cord. Damage to myelin is a major feature of neurological disorders involving demyelination, making the repair of this protective layer an important therapeutic target.
In this mouse study, Δ9-THC promoted the regeneration of oligodendrocytes, the cells responsible for producing myelin, and enhanced remyelination in damaged white matter. THC treatment was also associated with improved recovery of motor function.
The researchers found that these effects involved activation of the CB1 cannabinoid receptor and the maturation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells into myelin-producing cells. The findings suggest that THC may have potential as a compound capable of supporting functional repair after myelin damage.
“Background and purpose: Research on demyelinating disorders aims to find novel molecules that are able to induce oligodendrocyte precursor cell differentiation to promote central nervous system remyelination and functional recovery. Δ9 -Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the most prominent active constituent of the hemp plant Cannabis sativa, confers neuroprotection in animal models of demyelination. However, the possible effect of THC on myelin repair has never been studied.
Experimental approach: By using oligodendroglia-specific reporter mouse lines in combination with two models of toxin-induced demyelination, we analysed the effect of THC on the processes of oligodendrocyte regeneration and functional remyelination.
Key results: We show that THC administration enhanced oligodendrocyte regeneration, white matter remyelination and motor function recovery. THC also promoted axonal remyelination in organotypic cerebellar cultures. THC remyelinating action relied on the induction of oligodendrocyte precursor differentiation upon cell cycle exit and via CB1 cannabinoid receptor activation.
Conclusions and implications: Overall, our study identifies THC administration as a promising pharmacological strategy aimed to promote functional CNS remyelination in demyelinating disorders.”
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34216154/
“THC administration following cuprizone-induced demyelination enhanced oligodendrocyte regeneration, white matter remyelination and motor function recovery.”
“THC administration is a promising pharmacological strategy to promote functional CNS remyelination in demyelinating disorders.”
“Our study provides a novel therapeutic advantage of THC-based interventions in multiple sclerosis by promoting remyelination and functional recovery. New clinical trials with improved designs on cannabinoids in people with multiple sclerosis are needed now, considering these compounds as potential remyelinating/disease-modifying drugs to try to overcome previous failures. Our work also suggests that at least part of the neuroprotective action of phytocannabinoids in multiple sclerosis animal models and potentially in patients as well may be due to an enhanced CNS remyelination. Finally, this study also identifies THC as a potent inductor of oligodendrocyte progenitor cell differentiation under demyelination in mice, opening the possibility for this molecule to become a candidate drug to promote oligodendrocyte regeneration and remyelination in the treatment of demyelinating disorders.”
https://bpspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.15608
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