Multiple sclerosis tremor

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

Alleviation of muscle spasms, tremor, ataxia, and bladder dysfunction in multiple sclerosis and after spinal cord injury... 

I have multiple sclerosis. About three years after it was diagnosed I discovered marijuana. Afriend told me it was relaxing. My main problem then, aside from partial blindness, was tenseness and tremors in my muscles. Pot Cured it. and Tve smoked regularly ever since, about four to five times a week. If I go without it for a week, the muscle tremors come back. .. Most people with MS have repeated attacks and keep losing body function. Tm convinced that pot has kept me in remission all these years. 

The nervous system is particularly susceptible to chemical abuse. Damage to the peripheral nervous system can cause numbness, weakness, and muscle paralysis. Many inhalants have been shown to damage the myelin sheath (Figure 6.1), the protective coat around nerve cells. This causes symptoms like those seen in individuals with multiple sclerosis, including abnormal fatigue, vision problems, loss of muscle coordination, slurred speech, and tremors. Direct damage to the brain... 

The dmg is used in all types of Parkinson s disease (po.st-enccphulitic. idiopathic, arteriosclerotic) and helps to eliminate akinesia, rigidity, and tremor. It is also used in drug-induced extrapyramidul disorders to eliminate symptoms and permit continued use of tranquilizers. Biperiden is also of value in spastic di.sorders not related to parkinsonism, such as multiple. sclerosis, spinal curd injury, and cerebral palsy. It is contraindicated in all form.s uf epilep,sy. 

Spasticity is a central feature of multiple sclerosis (MS) and spinal cord injury (SCI). It consists of a velocity-dependent increase in tonic stretch reflexes with exaggerated tendon jerks, resulting from hyperexcitability of the stretch reflex as one component of the upper motor syndrome (Young 1994). Existing drug therapy is far from satisfactory in terms of efficacy and unwanted effects (Panegyres 1992). Tremor, ataxia and lower urinary tract symptoms are frequently troublesome in MS. Both neuropathic and nociceptive pain (dealt with in Sect. 2.3) are also common in MS and SCI, and dozens of very painful muscle spasms can occur each day. Small wonder that there is also a high incidence of anxiety and depression in these conditions. 

Clifford DB (1983) THC for tremor in multiple sclerosis. Ann Neurol 13 669-671 Consroe P, Snider SR (1986) Therapeutic potential of cannabinoids in neurological disorders. 

CHRONIC HEALTH RISKS Parkinsonism multiple sclerosis amyotrophic lateral sclerosis mental confusion central nervous system effects speech disturbances tremors psychological disturbances speak with slow monotonous voice muscular twitching nocturnal... 

This pharmacological evidence obtained in animal models has provided solid experimental support to previous anecdotal, uncontrolled, or prechnical data that suggested a beneficial effect for marijuana when smoked by multiple sclerosis patients to alleviate such symptoms as spasticity, dystonia, tremor, ataxia, and pain (for a review, see Consroe, 1998). In this hne, a clinical trial has recently finalized in the U.K. using oral administration of placebo, cannabis extract, or A -THC in a population of 667 patients with stable multiple sclerosis and muscle spasticity. The results of this trial have suggested that cannabinoids did not have a beneficial effect on spasticity in multiple sclerosis patients but increased the patient s perception of improvement of other signs including pain (Zajicek et al., 2003). 

Baker, D., G. Pryce, J.L. Croxford, P. Brown, R.G. Pertwee, J.W. Huffman, and L. Layward (2000). Cannabinoids control spasticity and tremor in a multiple sclerosis model. Nature 404(6773) 84—87. 

Feys, P., Helsen, W. F., Liu, X., Nuttin, B., Lavrysen, A., Swinnen, S. P., and Ketelaer, P. 2005. Interaction between eye and hand movements in multiple sclerosis patients with intention tremor. Mov. Disord. 20 705-713. 

Nervous system Infusion-related headache affected more than 50% of treated individuals in a cohort of patients with multiple sclerosis [138 ]. Anxiety, syncope, vertigo, dizziness, tremor, paresthesia, and hypesthe-sia are common undesirable reactions during treatment or within 30 days after the completion of treatment with alemtuzumab. Guil-lain-Barre syndrome and its chronic form, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy, have also been reported. 

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