A new clinical trial is offering a possible path toward treating one of the most difficult symptoms of advanced dementia: agitation.

The Phase 2 LiBBY trial studied 120 people with dementia who were experiencing significant agitation and were eligible for or receiving hospice care.

Meg Boyce, vice president of programs and services for the Alzheimer’s Association Hudson Valley Chapter, told Radio Catskill the study is significant because much of the past research has focused on people in earlier stages of dementia.

“A lot of research studies in the past have always focused on individuals in the very early stages of the disease,” Boyce said.

Boyce said about 84% of participants receiving the THC-CBD treatment showed improvement after two weeks, compared with about 31% receiving a placebo. At 12 weeks, about 87% of the treatment group showed improvement, compared with roughly 24% in the placebo group.

But she cautioned that the treatment used in the trial is not the same as cannabis products sold at dispensaries.

“The treatment that was tested in this study was actually developed specifically for this trial, and it’s not available to consumers,” Boyce told Radio Catskill. She said families should consult a physician before considering any cannabis-based treatment for someone with dementia.

Boyce also said sudden agitation can sometimes signal another medical problem, including pain or infection, and should be evaluated by a health care provider.

More research is still needed before the THC-CBD treatment could become a widely used option.

“It’s a wonderful beginning to something that could definitely make some major changes in the future,” Boyce said.

Families and caregivers can contact the Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900 or visit alz.org for more information.