Evaluation of cannabigerol (CBG) effect on brain metabolism in an animal model of Alzheimer's disease

• Grant number: 24/02586-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2024
• End date: June 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Medical Radiology
• Principal Investigator: Daniele de Paula Faria
• Grantee: Jean Marques Brizola
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The use of Cannabis sativa in pharmacotherapy dates back to ancient China and currently approximately 500 molecules have been isolated from the plant, with the main scientific interest lying in the phytocannabinoid class. These lipophilic compounds with complex pharmacology have been studied in different fields of biological sciences. Cannabigerol (CBG) is a non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that have the potential to be explored in the therapy of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), which is characterized by the formation and deposition in the brain of beta amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Glial cells are constantly activated in AD and increase the expression and production of pro-inflammatory mediators, leading to neurodegeneration. In this sense, this project aims to evaluate the effect of treatment with cannabigerol on brain metabolism in a transgenic model of Alzheimer's disease using positron emission tomography with [18F]FDG. In addition, the aim is to evaluate the effects of CBG on memory using the object recognition test and on the population of neurons, astrocytes and microglia using the immunohistochemistry technique. Transgenic animals for AD (3xTg-AD strain) will be used, divided into three experimental groups: AD treated with CBG 1 mg/kg; AD treated with CBG 10 mg/kg; and AD treated with vehicle. Treatment will take place at 7 months of age and will last 30 days.