Cannabis (medical marijuana) treatment for motor and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson disease: an open-label observational study.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

The use of cannabis as a therapeutic agent for various medical conditions has been well documented. However, clinical trials in patients with Parkinson disease (PD) have yielded conflicting results. The aim of the present open-label observational study was to assess the clinical effect of cannabis on motor and non-motor symptoms of PD.

METHODS:

Twenty-two patients with PD attending the motor disorder clinic of a tertiary medical center in 2011 to 2012 were evaluated at baseline and 30 minutes after smoking cannabis using the following battery: Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale, visual analog scale, present pain intensity scale, Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire, as well as Medical Cannabis Survey National Drug and Alcohol Research Center Questionnaire.

RESULTS:

Mean (SD) total score on the motor Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale score improved significantly from 33.1 (13.8) at baseline to 23.2 (10.5) after cannabis consumption (t = 5.9; P < 0.001). Analysis of specific motor symptoms revealed significant improvement after treatment in tremor (P < 0.001), rigidity (P = 0.004), and bradykinesia (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS:

There was also significant improvement of sleep and pain scores. No significant adverse effects of the drug were observed. The study suggests that cannabis might have a place in the therapeutic armamentarium of PD. Larger, controlled studies are needed to verify the results.

• Authors: Itay Lotan, Therese A Treves, Yaniv Roditi, Ruth Djaldetti
• Journal: Clinical neuropharmacology (Clin Neuropharmacol) 2014 Mar-Apr Vol. 37 Issue 2 Pg. 41-4 ISSN: 1537-162X [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 24614667 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Observational Study)

Chemical References

• Medical Marijuana

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Female
• Humans
• Hypokinesia (drug therapy)
• Male
• Medical Marijuana (therapeutic use)
• Middle Aged
• Muscle Rigidity (drug therapy)
• Pain Measurement (drug effects)
• Parkinson Disease (diagnosis, drug therapy)
• Severity of Illness Index
• Sleep (drug effects)
• Treatment Outcome
• Tremor (complications, drug therapy)