Multiple sclerosis cannabinoids

Other therapeutic uses of cannabinoid agonists have been reported. The potential of cannabinoids as a treatment for asthma is supported experimentally. A CBi agonist, (i )-methanandamide (21), inhibited nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced airway hyperresponsiveness in vivo [251]. The antipruritic effect of cannabinoids has been reported, the action being mediated by both CBi and CB2 pathways [252]. Treatment with cannabis extract improved urinary tract symptoms of multiple sclerosis patients significantly in an open-label pilot study [253]. 

Baker D, Pryce G, Croxford JL. Cannabinoids control spasticity and tremor in a multiple sclerosis model. Nature 2000 404 84-87. 

Multiple sclerosis A disease characterised by the progressive demyelination of CNS neurons and the loss of oligodendrocytes. Cannabinoids may be of benefit in treating MS. 

Consroe P, Musty R, Tillery W and Pertwee RG (1996). The perceived effects of cannabis smoking in patients with multiple sclerosis. Proceedings of the International Cannabinoid Research Society, 7. 

Metz L and Page S (2003). Oral cannabinoid for spasticity in multiple sclerosis Will attitude continue to limit use Lancet, 362, 1513. 

Zajicek J, Fox P, Sanders H, Wright D, Vickery J, Nunn A and Thompson A (2003). Cannabinoids for the treatment of spasticity and other symptoms related to multiple sclerosis (CAMS study) Multicentre randomised placebo-controlled trial. Lancet, 362, 1517-1526. 

Smith PF. (2007) Symptomatic treatment of multiple sclerosis using cannabinoids Recent advances. Expert Rev Neurother 7 1157-1163. 

Luo, J., J. H. Yin, H. Z. Wu, and Q. Wei. Extract from Fructus cannabis activating calcineurin improved learning and memory in mice with chemical drug-induced dysmnesia. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2003 24(11) 1137-1142. Degenhardt, L., W. Hall, and M. Lynskey. Exploring the association between cannabis use and depression. Addiction 2003 98(11) 1493-1504. Zajicek, J., P. Pox, H. Sanders, et al. Cannabinoids for treatment of spasticity and other symptoms related to multiple sclerosis (CAMS study) multicentre randomised placebo-controlled trial. Lancet 2003 362(9395) 1517-1526. 

Gilgun-Sherki, Y., E. Melamed, R. Mechoulam, and D. Offen. The CBl cannabinoid receptor agonist, HU-210, reduces levodopa-induced rotations in 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats. Pharmacol Toxicol 2003 93(2) 66—70. Pryce, G., Z. Ahmed, D. L. Hankey, et al. Cannabinoids inhibit neurodegeneration in models of multiple sclerosis. Brain 2003 126(Pt. 10) 2191-2202. Mathew, R. J., W. H. Wilson, and R. Davis. Postural syncope after marijuana a transcranial Doppler study of the hemodynamics. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2003 75(2) 309-318. 

Reif, et al. Immunomodulatory effects of orally administered cannabinoids in CS359 multiple sclerosis. J Neuroimmunol 2003 137(1-2) 140-143. 

Similar to opioids, the cannabinoid system appears to be intricately involved in normal physiology, specifically in the control of movement, formation of memories, and appetite control. Basic research has discovered that members of this family of compounds have the capacity to protect threatened neurons, thereby slowing neurodegenerative processes that ultimately lead to physical disability. As the function of the physiological role of endocannabinoids becomes clearer, it appears the system may be involved in the pathology of several neurological diseases, specifically multiple sclerosis, spasticity, and pain. In 1999 the German journal, Forschende Komplementar-medizin und Klassische Naturheilkunde (Research in Complementary and Classical Natural Medicine) commented ... 

The (Endo)Cannabinoid System in Multiple Sclerosis and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Diego Centonze, Silvia Rossi, Alessandro Finazzi-Agro, Giorgio Bemardi, and Mauro Maccarrone... 

Cannabis is one of the oldest and most widely used drugs in the world. In different Western countries the possible therapeutic use of cannabinoids as antiemetics in patients with cancer or in patients with multiple sclerosis has become an issue, because of the prohibition of cannabis, and has polarized opinion about the seriousness of its adverse effects (1,2). 

The effects of oral cannabinoids (dronabinol or Cannabis sativa plant extract) in relieving pain and muscle spasticity have been studied in 16 patients with multiple sclerosis (mean age 46 years, mean duration of disease 15 years) in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover... 

Svendsen KB, Jensen TS, Bach FW. Does the cannabinoid dronabinol reduce central pain in multiple sclerosis Randomised double blind placebo controlled crossover trial. BMJ 2004 329(7460) 253. 

The therapeutic uses of marijuana today arc much more circumscribed. For the most part synthetic products (such as dronabinol [trade name Marinol] and nabilonc [Cesamet]) that chemically resemble the cannabinoids have been used in current treatment efforts because they provide the active elements of THC in a more stable manner (see Joy ct al., 1999 Sussman, Stacy, Dent, Simon, Johnson, 1996). Synthetics also can provide better solubility. Unfortunately, a downside to the synthetics is the absence of the rapid effect experienced when marijuana is smoked. When synthetic THC is taken orally, it is broken down prior to entering the bloodstream and absorption thus is delayed. A recent development with promise is a cannabis oral spray (trade name Sativex), which has been approved in Canada for use as a painkiller for sufferers of multiple sclerosis. 

Pure polyunsaturated fatty acid amides and their derivatives. These synthcally produced compounds are able to mimic naturally occuring anandamides in the brain and bind the cannabinoid receptor. The compounds exhibit physiological activity and are useful as active ingredients in pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of inflammation, migraines, spasticity activity, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis. 

Woolmore J, Stone M, Holley S et al (2008) Polymorphisms of the cannabinoid 1 receptor gene and cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler 14 177-182... 

Ramil E, Sanchez AJ, Gonzalez-Perez P et al (2010) The cannabinoid receptor 1 gene (CNR1) and multiple sclerosis an association study in two case-control groups from Spain. Mult Scler 16 139-146... 

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