Short-Term Effects of Medicinal Cannabis Therapy on Spasticity in Multiple Sclerosis

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

PHASE1/PHASE2

Total Enrollment

30 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2001-09-30

Study Completion Date

2005-03-31

Brief Summary

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The purpose of this study is to determine whether or not smoked marijuana improves spasticity in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Detailed Description

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Studies of cannabinoids for spasticity in MS have had mixed results but clinical studies have been small, generally not properly controlled, with results controversial, and difficult to interpret. Recently, investigators in the UK and US tested the ability of cannabinoids to control spasticity and tremor symptoms of the MS-like disease, experimental allergic encephalomyelitis, in mice (Baker et al, 2000). The authors found that four different cannabinoids quantitatively ameliorated both tremor and spasticity in diseased mice; thus providing rationale for patients' reports of the therapeutic effects of cannabis in the control of their MS symptoms.

The present study will be a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover design of 30 patients who will be assessed before and after treatment for 3 consecutive days (Phase I), undergo washout-out for a total of 11 days, and then cross over to either the placebo or active treatment phase (Phase II), depending on what they received during Phase I. At each study visit, patients will utilize a controlled puff procedure to help ensure stable intake (Levin et al, 1989).

Comparisons: A single dose of 4% THC marijuana cigarette each day for 3 days will be compared to a placebo administered under the same dosing conditions for the relief of spasticity, drug tolerability, and changes in global functioning and quality of life indices.

Conditions

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Multiple Sclerosis

Keywords

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Multiple Sclerosis Cannabis Spasticity Tolerability

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

CROSSOVER

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

DOUBLE

Interventions

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Smoked Cannabis

Intervention Type DRUG

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Clinically definite or probable, laboratory-supported MS
* Complaints of spasticity and at least moderate increase in tone as evidenced by a score of \>= 2 on the Modified Ashworth Scale at either the elbow, hip, or knee
* If on disease-modifying therapy ("ABC"), have been on a stable dose for at least six months
* Fluent in English
* If not cannabis-naive, must refrain from smoking cannabis for two weeks prior to screening (confirmed by urinalysis)
* If on either lioresal (Baclofen) or tizanadine (Zanaflex), have been on a stable dose for at least three months
* \>=18 years of age

Exclusion Criteria

* Axis I psychiatric disorder especially depression or significant neurological disease other than MS as determined by the PI
* Recent history of active substance abuse defined as daily use for at least 14 days within the past month
* Drug use restrictions, eg, subjects on probation or parole, employment involving high risk to themselves and/or the public (airline pilot, bus driver, etc.)
* Any unstable medical health problem
* Any known pulmonary disorders, including tuberculosis, asthma, or COPD
* Pregnant or nursing
* Require benzodiazepines to control spasticity
* Require high doses of analgesic medications on a daily basis

Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Principal Investigators

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Jody Corey-Bloom, M.D., Ph.D.

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of California, San Diego

Locations

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UC San Diego Medical Center

San Diego, California, United States

Site Status

Countries

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United States

Other Identifiers

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030002

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: secondary_id

C00-SD-103