This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

I hope I haven't posted this before:



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.

Here's some info on the therapeutic action(s) of cannabinoids in MS.

Therapeutic Action of Cannabinoid on Axonal Injury

It's interesting to me that the apparent indirect action of cannabinoids to elevate the anti-inflammatory hormone corticosterone was not responsible for the beneficial effects of cannabinoids in protecting axons.

Here's another one. The abstract itself is way beyond anything I could possibly understand but the conclusion is interesting. I apologize if it's already been posted.
Cannabinoids promote embryonic and adult hippocampus neurogenesis and produce anxiolytic-and antidepressant-like effects

And yet another interesting one from 2002 I don't understand either beyond the title/conclusion.
Cannabinoids promote oligodendrocyte progenitor survival

And, lastly another abstract that I think (no guarantees on my interpretations of these things) suggests that
Ultra-low dose naltrexone enhances cannabinoids... anti-pain properties and improvements in motor functioning.

So, at least in rats, there's some info to suggest that cannabinoids may have a role in protecting axons, in generating new neurons in the hippocampus that may account for its antidepressant-like effects, for promoting the survival of cells (oligodendrocytes) important to myelin, and for working together with LDN to counteract pain and/or to improve motor functioning.

Does anyone know if this "HU210" is the same as the Sativex that's been approved in Canada and the UK for MS?

Sharon