Can Cannabis Help Amino Acid Metabolism Disorder PKU?
The tongue twister Phenylketonuria, or better known and PKU, is an uncommon inherited disorder that is already present at birth. Many countries, the US included screen newborns soon after birth to recognize PKU. The sooner it is identified, the better as major health problems could be prevented. While a diagnose of PKU for a baby is harsh as it is not curable, there are treatment options available for a child diagnosed with PKU.
What is Phenylketonuria?
PKU is a very rare inherited metabolic disorder that doesn´t allow the body to break down the amino acid phenylalanine or Phe. When Phe levels are too high, it prevents neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin to function properly. When this happens, side-effects like having difficulty concentrating, behavioral problems, and depression manifest. Phe can be toxic to the brain.
As mentioned before, all babies are screened for PKU, but if the screening happens before 24 hours have passed after birth, the condition could be missed. Professionals recommend for babies to be tested at least within 49 to 72 hours after birth.
When a child is diagnosed with PKU, a blood screen has to be done every week for the first week of his life. After that, it could decrease to once or twice a month. Without the enzyme necessary to process phenylamine, a dangerous buildup can develop when a person with PKU eats food that contains protein, aspartame, or any artificial sweetener.
People diagnosed with PKU need to follow a diet that limits phenylamine which is mostly found in food containing protein.
What Symptoms Are There?
Infants at first don’t show typical symptoms of PKU. Within a few months, certain symptoms start to show. Symptoms develop slowly over time and are quite difficult to see. The signs can be mild to severe and include:
Neurological issues like seizures
Hyperactivity
Musty aroma in the skin, urine, and breath due to high PH levels
Eczema or dry scaly skin
Intellectual disability
Mental disorders
Delayed development
Behavioral and social problems
Blue eyes and a fair skin
Microcephaly or abnormally small head.
Complications of PKU
There are certain complications in patients diagnosed with PKU. It includes the following:
Developmental delay
Intellectual disability
Epilepsy
Skin lesions
Social anxiety disorder
Low self-esteem
Reduced organization and planning skills
Types of Phenylketonuria
There are several forms of PKU. The most severe type is called classic PKU. In classic PKU the enzyme necessary to convert Phe is severely reduced or completely missing. This causes high Phe levels and brain damage. Two severe mutations of the Phe hydroxylase gene cause classic PKU. There are two lesser forms of PKU where the enzyme can function to a certain level and Phe levels are not too high.
To inherit PKU, both parents must pass on the defective gene. If only one parent carries the gene, the child can´t have PKU but could be a carrier. If PKU is diagnosed and treated early on, a person can live a normal life, but it requires a life-long commitment.
How and Why can Cannabis Effective in Treating PKU?
Research has found that cannabis can help someone who suffers from seizures. CBD or cannabidiol is shown to help control seizures. The drug Epidiolex has been, derived from CBD. Roundabout 54% of participants in a 12-week test of patients using Epidiolex showed a decrease in their seizures.
There are a number of other types of antiepileptic drug therapies, surgical interventions, and ketogenic diets available, but some young patients do not find success in them. Therefore, many are turning to medical cannabis for help and relief. In animal studies already in 1970, it was found that CBD has anticonvulsant properties.
CBD has no significant adverse reactions. Patients also handle the side-effects better than in the case of antiepileptic drugs.
What Symptoms of Phenylketonuria Can Cannabis Help?
Even though doctors don´t really know how medical cannabis helps PKU, they do know that the medicinal compounds of marijuana help to control seizures. Researchers have found a way to control the strength to give and what method works best. Some of the symptoms medical cannabis can help with are:
Social and behavioral problems
Eczema and other skin rashes
Seizures, jerking movements and shaking.
Breaking research shows that cannabis might protect against nerve damage and in certain cases might be even able to reverse it. Because marijuana is a neuroprotectant, it is especially beneficial for those suffering from seizures.
CBD helps to calm the body when tremors are experienced. This improves quality of life and people can continue with their everyday tasks. CBD also helps to treat people suffering from depression and anxiety. This is specifically helpful for young PKU sufferers while undergoing treatment as it presents an interaction between anxiety, stress levels, and biochemical regulation when dietary control is practiced.
After Thoughts
Even though there is no cure for PKU, it is manageable when diagnosed early. Cannabis can also act as a helpful aid by dealing with many of the symptoms of PKU. It is worth looking into it.
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