Cannabis for Spasticity in Multiple Sclerosis

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS · May 22, 2008

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The treatment of MS is far from satisfactory. For acute attacks, high dose corticosteroids seem to reduce the duration of attacks and to reduce the likelihood of future attacks. Immunomodulatory agents, available in this disease over the last decade, reduce the frequency of severe attacks by about one third. The remainder of the treatments are symptomatic, aimed at reducing the disability already present.

Recent research into the CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptor systems suggest that cannabis may have the potential for affecting both the pathogenic mechanisms and the symptoms of MS. In ligh...

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Diagnosis of clinically definite multiple sclerosis as defined by Poser criteria
• • Moderate or severe spasticity
• • Age 21 or older
• • Must live close to the Sacramento, CA area
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Preexisting pulmonary conditions, including poorly controlled asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, bronchiectasis, and other significant pulmonary disorders
• • Preexisting cardiac conditions, including ischemic heart disease, congestive heart failure, and other significant cardiac disorders
• • Inability to abstain from tobacco or marijuana smoking, or use of alcohol or sedative or hypnotic medications during the duration of the study
• • Pre-existing dementia, mania, depression or schizophrenia or other poorly controlled psychiatric illness
• • Past history of abuse of recreational drugs, including marijuana and alcohol in the last 12 months
• • History of or currently meets DSM-IV criteria for dependence on cannabis
• • Use of cannabis, marijuana, or THC in the last four weeks
• • Preexisting dementia, mania, depression, or schizophrenia or other poorly controlled psychiatric illness
• • Exacerbation of MS within 30 days prior to screening visit
• • Current use of cyclophosphamide, mitoxantrone, or cladribine
• • Arthritis, bony and soft tissue disorders interfering with spasticity measures
• • Inability to provide informed consent
• • Recent cannabis use of more than twice per week one month prior to study entry
• • For females of child bearing potential, inability to comply with adequate contraception