Multiple sclerosis, cannabinoids, and cognition.

Abstract

There is increasing interest in the therapeutic potential of cannabis-based medicinal extracts in multiple sclerosis. Cognitive deficits that have been attributed to long-term heavy recreational use of cannabis are not necessarily extended to controlled pharmaceutical use of cannabis-based medicinal extracts. Available data indicate that after relatively short-term administration of cannabis-based medicinal extracts no significant cognitive decline occurs. Due to the absence of large scale long-term systematic clinical trials of cannabis-based medicinal extracts in multiple sclerosis therapeutics, however, many issues remain unresolved, including the possible adverse effects of cannabis-based medicinal extracts on cognition. This article critically reviews the current literature and considers the potential for cognitive adverse effects of long-term cannabinoid use in multiple sclerosis therapeutics.

• Authors: Panagiotis Papathanasopoulos, Lambros Messinis, Epameinondas Lyros, Andreas Kastellakis, George Panagis
• Journal: The Journal of neuropsychiatry and clinical neurosciences (J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci) Vol. 20 Issue 1 Pg. 36-51 ( 2008) ISSN: 0895-0172 [Print] United States
• PMID: 18305283 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Cannabinoids

Topics

• Cannabinoids (adverse effects)
• Cognition (drug effects)
• Cognition Disorders (chemically induced)
• Humans
• Multiple Sclerosis (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Time Factors