Marijuana derivatives may provide MS treatment

[Guest guest]

How is it that research money can be found to test marijuana for

health reasons yet nothing for LDN?

--

http://news./s/nm/marijuana_treatment_dc

Marijuana derivatives may provide MS treatment

Wed Dec 7, 5:58 PM ET

Marijuana derivatives or " cannabinoids " taken for one year for the

treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) may reduce muscle spasms and

other aspects of disability, results of a UK study suggest.

Dr. J. P. Zajicek, from Peninsula Medical School in Plymouth and

colleagues previously reported that cannabinoids taken for 14 weeks

appeared to improve mobility and patients' perception of their MS

symptoms. In an extension study, 80 percent of subjects agreed to

continue on the medication for up to 52 weeks. The results are

reported in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry.

The analysis included more than 500 patients who were randomly

assigned to receive various cannabinoids or an inactive " placebo. "

Treatment with delta-9-THC, a synthetic cannabinoid, seemed to relieve

muscle spasms. In addition, patients treated with this drug and other

cannabinoids reported improvements in sleep and pain.

Zajicek's group concludes that " there is now an urgent need to

construct a long-term study in progressive MS to establish whether

delta-9-THC has a role in long-term disease. "

Dr. J. Killestein and Dr. B. M. J. Uitdehaag, writing in a related

editorial, agree with Zajicek's team about the need for more long-term

trials.

The editorialists, from VU Medical Center in Amsterdam, the

Netherlands, add that " these trials should also focus on different

cannabinoid products. "

SOURCE: Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, December

2005.