ABSTRACT
Cannabinoids comprehend endocannabinoids, phytocannabinoids, and synthetic cannabinoids, with actions both in the central and peripherical nervous systems. A considerable amount of publications have been made in recent years, although cannabis has been known for over a thousand years. Scientific Departments from the Brazilian Academy of Neurology described evidence for medical use in their areas. Literature is constantly changing, and possible new evidence can emerge in the next days or months. Prescription of these substances must be discussed with patients and their families, with knowledge about adverse events and their efficacy.
Keywords:
Cannabis; Cannabinoids; Neurology; Cannabidiol
RESUMO
Os canabinoides compreendem os endocanabinoides, fitocanabinoides e os canabinoides sintéticos e desempenham ações no sistema nervoso central e periférico. Uma quantidade enorme de publicações tem sido lançada nos últimos anos, embora a cannabis seja conhecida por milênios. Os Departamentos Científicos da Academia Brasileira de Neurologia descreveram as evidências do uso médico em suas áreas. A literatura está em constantes mudanças e possíveis novas evidências podem surgir nos próximos dias ou meses. A prescrição dessas substâncias deve ser discutida com os pacientes e suas famílias, com conhecimento sobre eventos adversos e sua eficácia.
Palavras-chave:
Cannabis; Canabinoides; Neurologia; Canabidiol
INTRODUCTION
The term cannabinoids refer to a heterogeneous group of compounds classified into three main groups: endogenous, synthetic, and phytocannabinoids11. Campos AC, Fogaça MV, Sonego AB, Guimarães FS. Cannabidiol, neuroprotection and neuropsychiatric disorders. Pharmacol Res. 2016 Oct;112:119-27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phrs.2016.01.033
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. Phytocannabinoids consist of terpenophenolic substances derived from the Cannabis sativa plant. The plant produces more than 100 cannabinoids, including Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the one responsible for its main psychoactive effects, whereas cannabidiol (CBD) is the major non-psychotomimetic compound11. Campos AC, Fogaça MV, Sonego AB, Guimarães FS. Cannabidiol, neuroprotection and neuropsychiatric disorders. Pharmacol Res. 2016 Oct;112:119-27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phrs.2016.01.033
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,22. Cristino L, Bisogno T, Di Marzo V. Cannabinoids and the expanded endocannabinoid system in neurological disorders. Nat Rev Neurol. 2020 Jan;16(1):9-29. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41582-019-0284-z
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The endocannabinoid system in the central nervous system (CNS) comprises mainly the cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors, their endogenous agonists, the endocannabinoids (EC) anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachydonoilglycerol (2-AG), and the proteins responsible for their uptake, synthesis, and degradation. Cannabinoid receptors are linked to membrane hyperpolarization. As a consequence, the probability of neurotransmitter release from the presynaptic terminal decreases, characterizing the EC as retrograde messengers. These two EC are released by excitatory synaptic activity in response to increased intracellular calcium. They inhibit neurotransmitter liberation from gabaergic and glutamatergic terminals; and act in many mechanisms of inhibitory and excitatory synaptic plasticity22. Cristino L, Bisogno T, Di Marzo V. Cannabinoids and the expanded endocannabinoid system in neurological disorders. Nat Rev Neurol. 2020 Jan;16(1):9-29. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41582-019-0284-z
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,33. Noel C. Evidence for the use of ‘‘medical marijuana’’ in psychiatric and neurologic disorders. Ment Health Clin. 2017 Jan;7(1):29-38. https://doi.org/10.9740/mhc.2017.01.029
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,44. Bennaroch EE. Synaptic effects of cannabinoids: complexity, behavioral effects and potential clinical implications. Neurology. 2014 Nov;83(21):1958-67. https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0000000000001013
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There are many other systems involved in the EC system, acting as modulators and metabolic processes resulting in an EC-related network, the endocannabinoidome22. Cristino L, Bisogno T, Di Marzo V. Cannabinoids and the expanded endocannabinoid system in neurological disorders. Nat Rev Neurol. 2020 Jan;16(1):9-29. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41582-019-0284-z
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. These models and mechanism actions could explain the CBD potential medical use in many neurological diseases22. Cristino L, Bisogno T, Di Marzo V. Cannabinoids and the expanded endocannabinoid system in neurological disorders. Nat Rev Neurol. 2020 Jan;16(1):9-29. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41582-019-0284-z
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,55. Giacoppo S, Mandolino G, Galuppo M, Bramanti P, Mazzon E. Cannabinoids: new promising agents in the treatment of neurological diseases. Molecules. 2014 Nov;19(11):18781-816. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules191118781
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There are two synthetic THC approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) of England, nabilone (CesametTM), used as a post-chemotherapy antiemetic, and dronabinol (MarinolTM), for the treatment of anorexia associated with HIV/AIDS and as antiemetic substance.
In 2015, the Brazilian Academy of Neurology had published the first position paper gathering all the evidence on the neurological use of cannabinoids. Some scientific departments have written their statements. Many studies have been published since then, with a significant improvement in knowledge in this field. For the second time, the Brazilian Academy of Neurology is issuing new statements through their departments, including evidence of benefits in neurological diseases66. Brucki SMD, Frota NA, Schestatsky P, Souza AH, Carvalho NC, Manreza MLG, et al. Cannabinoids in Neurology - Brazilian Academy of Neurology. Arq Neuro-Psiquiatr. 2015 Apr;73(4):371-4. https://doi.org/10.1590/0004-282X20150041
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All scientific departments (SD) (coordinators, vice coordinators, secretaries) were invited to contribute to this positioning paper. Each SD was responsible for each session of this manuscript, assuming their position concerning the use of cannabis-based products.
The Brazilian regulatory National Health Surveillance Agency (Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária - ANVISA) has published, in 2019, a resolution that defines the conditions and procedures for manufacturing and importing. This resolution establishes requirements for the commercialization, prescription, dispensing, monitoring, and inspection of Cannabis products for medicinal purposes for human use (RDC 327/2019).
On March 10th, 2020, Resolution 327/2019 (ANVISA) was released, which allows the marketing of Cannabis-based products in pharmacies across the country. On April 22nd, the first company obtained authorization to produce and distribute the oil, which will only be sold to people with a medical prescription. The rules are based on THC concentration, formulations with a THC concentration higher than 0.2% (type B prescription), or for those with higher than 0.2% THC, only for terminal patients or those who have no therapeutic alternatives (type A prescription, valid for 30 days).
Resolution RDC335, of January 24th, 2020, defines the criteria and procedures for the import of cannabis-derived products by individuals, for their use, with a prescription by a legally qualified professional, for health problems.
There is an increasing interest on studies regarding neurological action and therapeutic use of cannabinoids; and an excellent theoretical basis for its use. Many types of research are conducted, and results have been published.
CANNABIS: THE PLANT AND THE MEDICINE. A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
Cannabis: origin and spread
The history of hemp (cannabis) and its use dates back to about the 3rd millennium BC in written history, and according to paleobotanical studies, possibly to circa 12 millennia back. The plant has been appreciated for its varied uses, such as fiber, rope, cloth, paper, food, medicine, religion, and recreational77. Bonini SA, Premoli M, Tambaro S, Kumar A, Maccarinelli G, Memo M, Mastinu A. Cannabis sativa: a comprehensive ethnopharmacological review of a medicinal plant with a long history. J Ethnopharmacol. 2018 Dec;227:300-15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2018.09.004
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,88. Leal-Galicia P, Betancourt D, González-González A, Romo-Parra H. Breve historia sobre la marihuana en Occidente. Rev Neurol. 2018 Aug;67:133-40. https://doi.org/10.33588/rn.6704.2017522
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The origin of this plant is generally placed in Central Asia, and from there, it is believed to have spread, over five millennia, to China, India, Japan, Persia, Arabia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas88. Leal-Galicia P, Betancourt D, González-González A, Romo-Parra H. Breve historia sobre la marihuana en Occidente. Rev Neurol. 2018 Aug;67:133-40. https://doi.org/10.33588/rn.6704.2017522
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,99. Pisanti S, Bifulco M. Medical Cannabis: a plurimillennial history of an evergreen. J Cell Physiol. 2019 Jun;234(6):8342-51. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcp.27725
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,1010. Booth M. Cannabis: a history. London: Bantam Books; 2003.,1111. Russo E. History of cannabis and its preparations in saga, science, and sobriquet. Chem Biodivers. 2007 Aug;4(8):1614-48. https://doi.org/10.1002/cbdv.200790144
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The hemp plant is known by many names, like marijuana, hashish, dagga, bhang, locoweed, grass, maconha, cañamo, etc. It was first identified and labeled by Carl Linnaeus (Cannabis sativa Linnaeus 1753). Later, two other distinct species were recognized (Cannabis indica Lamarck 1785, and cannabis ruderalis Janischevsky 1924). They differ fundamentally in terms of size and content of psychoactive molecules77. Bonini SA, Premoli M, Tambaro S, Kumar A, Maccarinelli G, Memo M, Mastinu A. Cannabis sativa: a comprehensive ethnopharmacological review of a medicinal plant with a long history. J Ethnopharmacol. 2018 Dec;227:300-15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2018.09.004
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,1010. Booth M. Cannabis: a history. London: Bantam Books; 2003.,1212. Watts G. Cannabis confusions. BMJ. 2006 Jan;332(7534):175-6. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.332.7534.175
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,1313. Zuardi AW. History of cannabis as a medicine: a review. Braz J Psychiatry. 2006 Jun;28(2):153-7. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1516-44462006000200015
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Psychoactive properties discovery
The psychoactive properties of cannabis were known to the Aryans (3,000-600 BC), who introduced the plant to the Scythians, Thracians, and Dacians, whose 'shamans' burned cannabis flowers to induce trance. The Scythians (2,000-1,400 BC) often inhaled the vapors of hemp-seed smoke, both as a ritual and for recreation, as reported by Herodotus (490-425 BC). Through the Aryans, the ancient Assyrians (900 BC) also knew such effects99. Pisanti S, Bifulco M. Medical Cannabis: a plurimillennial history of an evergreen. J Cell Physiol. 2019 Jun;234(6):8342-51. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcp.27725
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,1010. Booth M. Cannabis: a history. London: Bantam Books; 2003. and used it in some religious ceremonies, they called qunubu [kanab] (meaning “way to produce smoke”), then converted to Greek as κάνναβις (kánnabis), a Scythian or Thracian word, and subsequently to Latin as cannabis, the origin of the modern word99. Pisanti S, Bifulco M. Medical Cannabis: a plurimillennial history of an evergreen. J Cell Physiol. 2019 Jun;234(6):8342-51. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcp.27725
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,1010. Booth M. Cannabis: a history. London: Bantam Books; 2003.,1414. Online Etymology Dictionary. Cannabis. Available at: https://www.etymonline.com/word/cannabis
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Pharmacological developments
Cannabis’ chemistry is complex and contains a large number of active compounds, many working on the 'EC system,' localized in the central and peripheral nervous system77. Bonini SA, Premoli M, Tambaro S, Kumar A, Maccarinelli G, Memo M, Mastinu A. Cannabis sativa: a comprehensive ethnopharmacological review of a medicinal plant with a long history. J Ethnopharmacol. 2018 Dec;227:300-15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2018.09.004
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,1515. Di Marzo V. A brief history of cannabinoidand endocannabinoid pharmacologyas inspired by the workof British scientists. Trends Pharmacol Sci. 2006 Mar;27(3):134-40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tips.2006.01.010
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(Chart 1).
History of therapeutic use
Medicinal cannabis (or medical cannabis) concerns the use of Cannabis sativa (and of other species) - defined as the unprocessed plant, a part of it, or a plant-derived preparation - for therapeutic purposes1616. Bridgeman MB, Abazia DT. Medicinal cannabis: history, pharmacology, and implications for the acute care setting. PT 2017 Mar;42:180-8.,1717. Guido PC, Riva N, Calle G, Dell'Orso M, Gatto M, Sberna N, et al. Medicinal cannabis in Latin America: History, current state of regulation, and the role of the pharmacist in a new clinical experience with cannabidiol oil. J Am Pharm Assoc (2003). Jan-Feb 2020;60(1):212-5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.japh.2019.09.012
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The medical use of cannabis dates back about 3,000 years BC, in China, prescribed for fatigue, rheumatism, and malaria. Its use as a medicine is extensively reported in the Egyptian Ebers Papyrus dated to about 3,000 years ago, and in Assyrian clay tablets (>650 BC). Its medical use in India probably began around 1,000 years BC, as an analgesic, anticonvulsant, hypnotic, and tranquilizer. Historical and archeological evidence suggests that, in Europe, Scythian invaders brought the plant in 450 BC1010. Booth M. Cannabis: a history. London: Bantam Books; 2003.,1313. Zuardi AW. History of cannabis as a medicine: a review. Braz J Psychiatry. 2006 Jun;28(2):153-7. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1516-44462006000200015
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,1616. Bridgeman MB, Abazia DT. Medicinal cannabis: history, pharmacology, and implications for the acute care setting. PT 2017 Mar;42:180-8.,1818. Hand A, Blake A, Kerrigan P, Samuel P, Friedberg J. History of medical cannabis. J Pain Manage. 2016;9(4):387-94.. It was also well known among the ancient Greeks and Romans, as mentioned by Herodotus (about 400 BC)77. Bonini SA, Premoli M, Tambaro S, Kumar A, Maccarinelli G, Memo M, Mastinu A. Cannabis sativa: a comprehensive ethnopharmacological review of a medicinal plant with a long history. J Ethnopharmacol. 2018 Dec;227:300-15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2018.09.004
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,1313. Zuardi AW. History of cannabis as a medicine: a review. Braz J Psychiatry. 2006 Jun;28(2):153-7. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1516-44462006000200015
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. Its use in the Americas probably began in South America, reaching Brazil in the XVI century, brought by African slaves, mainly Angolans1313. Zuardi AW. History of cannabis as a medicine: a review. Braz J Psychiatry. 2006 Jun;28(2):153-7. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1516-44462006000200015
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,1818. Hand A, Blake A, Kerrigan P, Samuel P, Friedberg J. History of medical cannabis. J Pain Manage. 2016;9(4):387-94.. The effective introduction of cannabis in Europe occurred in the midst of the XIX century through the works of the French psychiatrist Jacques-Joseph Moreau, who wrote on the psychological effect of its use, and the Irish physician Willian Brooke O’Shaughnessy, who described its use for rheumatism, convulsions, and mainly for muscular spasms of tetanus and rabies. The medical use of the drug spread from Britain and France, reaching all Europe and then North America1313. Zuardi AW. History of cannabis as a medicine: a review. Braz J Psychiatry. 2006 Jun;28(2):153-7. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1516-44462006000200015
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,1818. Hand A, Blake A, Kerrigan P, Samuel P, Friedberg J. History of medical cannabis. J Pain Manage. 2016;9(4):387-94..
Following a rapid rise of cannabis usage in 1900s medicine, it began to decline due to controversies over legal, ethical, and societal implications, therapeutic indications based on limited clinical data, as well as anti-cannabis laws, which practically abolished any modern efforts to investigate possible therapeutic applications of the medicine1818. Hand A, Blake A, Kerrigan P, Samuel P, Friedberg J. History of medical cannabis. J Pain Manage. 2016;9(4):387-94.,1919. Russo EB. Cannabis Therapeutics and the Future of Neurology. Front Integr Neurosci. 2018;12:51. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnint.2018.00051
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. However, in the past two decades, an increasing interest was seen in the therapeutic potential of cannabis derivatives for neurological disorders, with a strong stimulus for research in several areas, such as epilepsy (Lennox-Gastaut and Dravet syndromes), multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms, neuropathic pain, movement disorders (e.g., Parkinson disease - PD), dementias (e.g., Alzheimer disease - AD), among other manifestations66. Brucki SMD, Frota NA, Schestatsky P, Souza AH, Carvalho NC, Manreza MLG, et al. Cannabinoids in Neurology - Brazilian Academy of Neurology. Arq Neuro-Psiquiatr. 2015 Apr;73(4):371-4. https://doi.org/10.1590/0004-282X20150041
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,1919. Russo EB. Cannabis Therapeutics and the Future of Neurology. Front Integr Neurosci. 2018;12:51. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnint.2018.00051
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,2020. Friedman D, French JA, Maccarrone M. Safety, efficacy, and mechanisms of action of cannabinoids in neurological disorders. Lancet Neurol. 2019 May;18(5):504-12. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1474-4422(19)30032-8
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Regarding Brazil, one must remember the pioneering studies of Carlini’s group, with cannabis and tetrahydrocannabinols2121. Carlini EA, Santos M, Claussen V, Bieniek, D, Korte F. Structure activity relationship of four tetrahydrocannabinols and the pharmacological activity of five semipurified extracts of cannabis sativa. Psychopharmacologia. 1970 Aug;18(1):82-93. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00402387
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, followed by reviews of Zuardi et al.1313. Zuardi AW. History of cannabis as a medicine: a review. Braz J Psychiatry. 2006 Jun;28(2):153-7. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1516-44462006000200015
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and, more recently, studies from the same group, coordinated by Chagas et al., emphasizing the use of CBD in patients with neurological diseases (PD)2222. Takahashi RN, Zuardi AW, Karniol IG. Chemical composition of Brazilian marijuana samples and the importance of several constituents to the pharmacological activity of the plant. Rev Bras Pesqui Med Biol. 1977 Dec;10(6):379-85.,2323. Chagas MHN, Zuardi AW, Tumas V, Chagas MHN, Zuardi AW, Tumas V, et al. Effects of cannabidiol in the treatment of patients with Parkinson´s disease: An exploratory double-blind trial. J Psychopharmacol. 2014 Nov;28(11):1088-98. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269881114550355
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Despite persistent controversies, the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes represents the revival of a plant with long historical significance reemerging in present-day health care. The properties of cannabis foreshadow transformations of neurological treatment into a new reality of effective interventional and even preventative care1010. Booth M. Cannabis: a history. London: Bantam Books; 2003.,1313. Zuardi AW. History of cannabis as a medicine: a review. Braz J Psychiatry. 2006 Jun;28(2):153-7. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1516-44462006000200015
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CANNABINOIDS AND THE BLOOD-BRAIN-BARRIER
Potential therapeutic actions of the cannabinoids delta-9-THC and CBD are based on their activity as an anti-inflammatory, anti-seizure, as well as analgesic and antiemetic. Results from laboratory and human studies suggest that it could be a promising experimental animal model of epilepsy and produce antipsychotic effects in experimental novel agents for CNS diseases, including schizophrenia and epilepsy. Due to THC and CBD lipophilicity and their neurological actions, they are natural candidates as new medicinal approaches to treat CNS diseases. However, their penetrability and disposition in the brain are different, and these patterns are related to their role in the blood-brain-barrier (BBB). Several findings indicate that CBD can modify the deleterious effects on BBB caused by inflammatory cytokines and may play a pivotal role in ameliorating BBB dysfunction consequent to ischemia and hyperglycemia. Cannabinoids can positively influence the brain’s immune response, playing a role in the prevention of BBB damage. In this regard, it has been hypothesized that the activation of the EC system could play a key role in preventing interactions between immune and endothelial cells and in neuroprotection through the maintenance of tight junctions. These findings suggest that CBD could be part of a new strategic approach useful to treat inflammatory diseases of the CNS2424. Gaoni Y, Mechoulam R. Isolation, structure, and partial synthesis of an active constituent of hashish. J Am Chem Soc. 1964;86(8):1646-7. https://doi.org/10.1021/ja01062a046
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,2525. Mechoulam R. Plant cannabinoids: a neglected pharmacological treasure trove. Br J Pharmacol. 2005 Dec;146(7):913-5. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bjp.0706415
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,2626. Brook E, Mamo J, Wong R, Al-Salami H, Falasca M, Lam V, et al. Blood-brain barrier disturbances in diabetes-associated dementia: therapeutic potential for cannabinoids. Pharmacol Res. 2019 Mar;141:291-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phrs.2019.01.009
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,2727. Calapai F, Cardia L, Sorbara EE, Navarra M, Gangemi S, Calapai G, et al. Cannabinoids, blood-brain barrier, and brain disposition. Pharmaceutics. 2020 Mar;12(3):265. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics12030265
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,2828. Mannucci C, Navarra M, Calapai F, Spagnolo EV, Busardò FP, Cas RD, et al. Neurological aspects of medical use of cannabidiol. CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets. 2017;16(5):541-53. https://doi.org/10.2174/1871527316666170413114210
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Cannabinoids may also interfere in BBB pump-efflux regulation, playing an essential role in drug resistance in the clinical management of neurological or psychiatric diseases such as epilepsy and schizophrenia2727. Calapai F, Cardia L, Sorbara EE, Navarra M, Gangemi S, Calapai G, et al. Cannabinoids, blood-brain barrier, and brain disposition. Pharmaceutics. 2020 Mar;12(3):265. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics12030265
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,2828. Mannucci C, Navarra M, Calapai F, Spagnolo EV, Busardò FP, Cas RD, et al. Neurological aspects of medical use of cannabidiol. CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets. 2017;16(5):541-53. https://doi.org/10.2174/1871527316666170413114210
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,2929. Renard J, Norris C, Rushlow W, Laviolette SR. Neuronal and molecular effects of cannabidiol on the mesolimbic dopamine system: implications for novel schizophrenia treatments. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2017 Apr;75:157-65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.02.006
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In addition to their use as therapeutic agents in epilepsy, pain, and movement disorders, cannabinoids effects upon BBB may justify their use in neurodegenerative diseases. Cannabinoids’ positive impact on cognitive function could be considered through the aspect of protection of BBB cerebrovascular structure and function, indicating that they may purchase substantial benefits through the protection of BBB integrity.
Emerging evidence suggests beta-amyloid (Aβ) deposition in the AD brain is the result of impaired clearance, due in part to diminished Aβ transport across the BBB. The modulation of the cannabinoid system may reduce Aβ brain levels and improve cognitive behavior in AD animal models. Bachmeier and coworkers investigated the role of the cannabinoid system in the clearance of Aβ across the BBB using in vitro and in vivo models of BBB clearance. They examined Aβ transit across the BBB in the presence of cannabinoid receptor agonists and inhibitors and determined the expression levels of the Aβ transport protein, lipoprotein receptor-related protein1 (LRP1) in the brain and plasma of mice following cannabinoid treatment. Cannabinoid receptor agonism or inhibition of endocannabinoid-degrading enzymes significantly enhanced Aβ clearance across the BBB (2-fold).
Moreover, cannabinoid receptor inhibition negated the stimulatory influence of cannabinoid treatment on Aβ BBB clearance. Additionally, LRP1 levels in the brain and plasma were elevated following cannabinoid treatment (1.5-fold), providing a rationale for the observed increase in Aβ transit from the brain to the periphery. These findings provide an insight into the mechanism by which cannabinoid system modulation has been shown to reduce Aβ brain burden and abrogate AD pathophysiology and cognitive decline3030. Bachmeier C, Beaulieu-Abdelahad D, Mullan M, Paris D. Role of the Cannabinoid system in the transit of beta-amyloid across the blood-brain barrier. Mol Cell Neurosci. 2013 Sep;56:255-62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mcn.2013.06.004
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,3131. Martin-Moreno AM, Brera B, Spuch C, Carro E, Garcia-Garcia L, Delgado M, et al. Prolonged oral cannabinoid administration prevents neuroinflammation, lowers β-amyloid levels and improves cognitive performance in Tg APP 2576 mice. J Neuroinflammation. 2012;9:8. https://doi.org/10.1186/1742-2094-9-8
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Still, within the scope of cognitive impairment and BBB integrity, it is known that type-2 diabetes (T2D) increases the risk of dementia by 5-fold, and evidence suggests that the heightened inflammation and oxidative stress in T2D may lead to disruption of the BBB, which precedes premature cognitive decline. Compromised integrity of the BBB in T2D is both an early and critical event preceding cognitive decline and potentially dementia, so targeting the BBB may be a novel therapeutic approach for diabetes-associated dementia. Brook et al., in a recent review, point out the role of BBB dysfunction in T2D associated dementia and consider the potential therapeutic use of cannabinoids as a protectant of cerebrovascular BBB preventing neurocognitive impairment2626. Brook E, Mamo J, Wong R, Al-Salami H, Falasca M, Lam V, et al. Blood-brain barrier disturbances in diabetes-associated dementia: therapeutic potential for cannabinoids. Pharmacol Res. 2019 Mar;141:291-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phrs.2019.01.009
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Cannabinoids in epilepsy (children and adults)
The first records of the use of marijuana for medical purposes date back to 2737 BC in China3232. Associação Brasileira de Pacientes de Cannabis Medicinal. Cannabis Medicinal na História. Available at: https://amame.org.br/historia-da-cannabis-medicinal/
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. However, the EC system was only discovered in 19923333. Devane WA, Hanus L, Breuer A, Pertwee RG, Stevenson LA, Griffin G, et al. Isolation and structure of a brain constituent that binds to the cannabinoid receptor. Science. 1992 Dec;258(5090):1946-9. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1470919
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1126/...
. The global interest in the use of medical marijuana in epilepsy grew exponentially in the 21st century after Charlotte Figi’s story gained notoriety in the United States of America3434. Maa E, Figi P. The case for medical marijuana in epilepsy. Epilepsia. 2014;55(6):783-6. https://doi.org/10.1111/epi.12610
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, and Anny Fischer’s, in Brazil. Since then, several articles produced without strict scientific structure have been published, many of them just roughly drafted, and until 2014, Cochrane and American Academy of Neurology reviews did not show scientific evidence that would substantiate the use of marijuana for epilepsy3535. Gloss D, Vickrey B. Cannabinoids for epilepsy. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014 Mar;2014(3):CD009270. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD009270.pub3
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1002/...
,3636. Koppel BS, Brust JC, Fife T, Bronstein J, Youssof S, Gronseth G, et al. Systematic review: efficacy and safety of medical marijuana in selected neurologic disorders: report of the Guideline Development Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology. Neurology. 2014 Apr;82(17):1556-63. https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0000000000000363
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. Still, CBD has been investigated and found useful in the treatment of patients with epilepsy for several decades, particularly in the pediatric age group. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the use of CBD as an adjunctive treatment in patients with refractory epilepsy3737. Bialer M, Perucca E. Does cannabidiol have antiseizure activity independent of its interactions with clobazam? An appraisal of the evidence from randomized controlled trials. Epilepsia 2020 Jun;61(6):1082-9. https://doi.org/10.1111/epi.16542
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.
A controlled series of patients being treated with Epidiolex - drug comprised of CBD, a compound derived from marijuana and indicated for epilepsy - was published. At this time, Devinsky et al.3838. Devinsky O, Marsh E, Friedman D, Thiele E, Laux L, Sullivan J, et al. Cannabidiol in patients with treatment-resistant epilepsy: an open-label interventional trial. Lancet Neurol. 2016 Mar;15(3):270-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1474-4422(15)00379-8
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showed the results for 214 patients treated with highly pure (99%) CBD in 10 epilepsy centers in the United States from January 2014 to January 2015, including children and young adults, with severe forms of epilepsy. This study showed a median reduction of 36.5% in the frequency of seizures per month.
In 2017 Devinsky et al.3939. Devinsky O, Cross JH, Wright S. Trial of Cannabidiol for Drug-Resistant Seizures in the Dravet Syndrome. N Engl J Med. 2017 Aug;377(7):699-700. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMc1708349
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conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial to evaluate the efficacy of Epidiolex for seizures in 120 children and adult patients with Dravet syndrome. In another double-blind, placebo-controlled study, Thiele et al. assessed the effectiveness of Epidiolex for atonic seizures in 225 patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. This study showed that patients who experienced a reduction of at least 50% in the drop seizure frequency were mostly in the CBD group, 43%, compared to 27% in the placebo group4040. Thiele EA, Marsh ED, French JA, Mazurkiewicz-Beldzinska M, Benbadis SR, Joshi C, et al. Cannabidiol in patients with seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (GWPCARE4): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2018 Mar 17;391(10125):1085-96. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(18)30136-3
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. These two randomized, controlled studies which evaluated the efficacy of pharmaceutical-grade CBD in children with Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut syndromes showed similar efficacy to other antiepileptic medications3939. Devinsky O, Cross JH, Wright S. Trial of Cannabidiol for Drug-Resistant Seizures in the Dravet Syndrome. N Engl J Med. 2017 Aug;377(7):699-700. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMc1708349
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1056/...
,4040. Thiele EA, Marsh ED, French JA, Mazurkiewicz-Beldzinska M, Benbadis SR, Joshi C, et al. Cannabidiol in patients with seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (GWPCARE4): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2018 Mar 17;391(10125):1085-96. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(18)30136-3
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/...
. CBD was approved for use in the treatment of patients with epilepsy with the diagnosis of Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome and Dravet Syndrome by the FDA in 2018 and by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in 2019. The approval was based on the previous commented studies in which CBD, as an addiction drug, was shown to be superior to placebo in reducing epileptic seizures3838. Devinsky O, Marsh E, Friedman D, Thiele E, Laux L, Sullivan J, et al. Cannabidiol in patients with treatment-resistant epilepsy: an open-label interventional trial. Lancet Neurol. 2016 Mar;15(3):270-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1474-4422(15)00379-8
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/...
,3939. Devinsky O, Cross JH, Wright S. Trial of Cannabidiol for Drug-Resistant Seizures in the Dravet Syndrome. N Engl J Med. 2017 Aug;377(7):699-700. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMc1708349
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1056/...
,4040. Thiele EA, Marsh ED, French JA, Mazurkiewicz-Beldzinska M, Benbadis SR, Joshi C, et al. Cannabidiol in patients with seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (GWPCARE4): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2018 Mar 17;391(10125):1085-96. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(18)30136-3
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. In these studies, the median percentage reduction from baseline in seizure frequency was 44%, data statistically significant when compared to the placebo group. Based on these studies, the FDA approved the first commercial presentation of highly purified CBD (Epidiolex®; GW Pharmaceutical, Cambridge, UK).
CBD has also been shown to be effective in the treatment of patients with focal epilepsy associated with other clinical conditions, such as Tuberous Sclerosis Complex4040. Thiele EA, Marsh ED, French JA, Mazurkiewicz-Beldzinska M, Benbadis SR, Joshi C, et al. Cannabidiol in patients with seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (GWPCARE4): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2018 Mar 17;391(10125):1085-96. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(18)30136-3
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/...
. Still, in these patients, CBD has an off-label indication. The recommended dose of CBD for refractory epilepsy treatment was 10 to 25 mg/kg/day (about 200 to 300 mg/day) 3737. Bialer M, Perucca E. Does cannabidiol have antiseizure activity independent of its interactions with clobazam? An appraisal of the evidence from randomized controlled trials. Epilepsia 2020 Jun;61(6):1082-9. https://doi.org/10.1111/epi.16542
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.
More recently, de Carvalho Reis et al. systematically examined the efficacy and adverse events profile of CBD and medicinal cannabis. They observed a statistically meaningful effect of CBD compared to placebo. Furthermore, CBD proved more effective than a placebo, regardless of the etiology of the epileptic syndromes and dosage4141. de Carvalho Reis R, Almeida KJ, da Silva Lopes L, de Melo Mendes CM, Bor-Seng-Shu E. Efficacy and adverse event profile of cannabidiol and medicinal cannabis for treatment-resistant epilepsy: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Epilepsy Behav. 2020 Jan;102:106635. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2019.106635
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.
Concerning the efficacy of CBD for epilepsy, a study that assessed its use for patients with tuberous sclerosis should also be emphasized. After three months of treatment, patients who took CBD experienced a mean reduction of 48.8% in seizure frequency and, after 12 months, a decrease of 50% or more in 50% of the patients. It was also observed that among patients who took clobazam (CLB) (12/18) concomitantly, the response rate was 58.3%, compared to 33.3%1010. Booth M. Cannabis: a history. London: Bantam Books; 2003. in patients who did not take it4242. Hess EJ, Moody KA, Geffrey AL, Pollack SF, Skirvin LA, Bruno PL, et al. Cannabidiol as a new treatment for drug-resistant epilepsy in tuberous sclerosis complex. Epilepsia. 2016 Oct;57(10):1617-24. https://doi.org/10.1111/epi.13499
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In all mentioned studies, adverse events were frequent, occurring in almost 90% of patients4040. Thiele EA, Marsh ED, French JA, Mazurkiewicz-Beldzinska M, Benbadis SR, Joshi C, et al. Cannabidiol in patients with seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (GWPCARE4): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2018 Mar 17;391(10125):1085-96. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(18)30136-3
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. The most common adverse events observed were somnolence, decreased appetite, diarrhea, behavioral changes, skin rash, fatigue, convulsive episodes, status epilepticus, lethargy, gait disorder, sedation, as well as changes in the dosages of concomitant antiepileptic medications3838. Devinsky O, Marsh E, Friedman D, Thiele E, Laux L, Sullivan J, et al. Cannabidiol in patients with treatment-resistant epilepsy: an open-label interventional trial. Lancet Neurol. 2016 Mar;15(3):270-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1474-4422(15)00379-8
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/...
,3939. Devinsky O, Cross JH, Wright S. Trial of Cannabidiol for Drug-Resistant Seizures in the Dravet Syndrome. N Engl J Med. 2017 Aug;377(7):699-700. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMc1708349
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1056/...
,4040. Thiele EA, Marsh ED, French JA, Mazurkiewicz-Beldzinska M, Benbadis SR, Joshi C, et al. Cannabidiol in patients with seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (GWPCARE4): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2018 Mar 17;391(10125):1085-96. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(18)30136-3
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/...
,4141. de Carvalho Reis R, Almeida KJ, da Silva Lopes L, de Melo Mendes CM, Bor-Seng-Shu E. Efficacy and adverse event profile of cannabidiol and medicinal cannabis for treatment-resistant epilepsy: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Epilepsy Behav. 2020 Jan;102:106635. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2019.106635
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/...
,4242. Hess EJ, Moody KA, Geffrey AL, Pollack SF, Skirvin LA, Bruno PL, et al. Cannabidiol as a new treatment for drug-resistant epilepsy in tuberous sclerosis complex. Epilepsia. 2016 Oct;57(10):1617-24. https://doi.org/10.1111/epi.13499
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1111/...
,4343. Huestis MA, Solimini R, Pichini S, Pacifici R, Carlier J, Busardò FP. Cannabidiol Adverse Effects and Toxicity. Curr Neuropharmacol. 2019;17(10):974-89. https://doi.org/10.2174/1570159X17666190603171901
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. These events were described as mild or moderate, with a small percentage of patients discontinuing treatment3838. Devinsky O, Marsh E, Friedman D, Thiele E, Laux L, Sullivan J, et al. Cannabidiol in patients with treatment-resistant epilepsy: an open-label interventional trial. Lancet Neurol. 2016 Mar;15(3):270-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1474-4422(15)00379-8
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. Severe adverse events were reported in up to 30% of patients, including one case of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP), although regarded as unrelated to the study drug4141. de Carvalho Reis R, Almeida KJ, da Silva Lopes L, de Melo Mendes CM, Bor-Seng-Shu E. Efficacy and adverse event profile of cannabidiol and medicinal cannabis for treatment-resistant epilepsy: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Epilepsy Behav. 2020 Jan;102:106635. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2019.106635
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/...
. Adverse events in CBD using were more common under short-term than under long-term treatment4141. de Carvalho Reis R, Almeida KJ, da Silva Lopes L, de Melo Mendes CM, Bor-Seng-Shu E. Efficacy and adverse event profile of cannabidiol and medicinal cannabis for treatment-resistant epilepsy: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Epilepsy Behav. 2020 Jan;102:106635. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2019.106635
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.
Animal studies demonstrate adverse effects related to the male reproductive system, with reduced spermatogenesis, changes in embryological and fetal development, reducing peripheral organ weight and neurotoxicity4343. Huestis MA, Solimini R, Pichini S, Pacifici R, Carlier J, Busardò FP. Cannabidiol Adverse Effects and Toxicity. Curr Neuropharmacol. 2019;17(10):974-89. https://doi.org/10.2174/1570159X17666190603171901
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, and its use in a gestational age patient should be considered with thrift.
CBD has complex and variable pharmacokinetics, with a low oral bioavailability, which increases up to four times when ingested with a high-fat diet4444. Silvestro S, Mammana S, Cavalli E, Bramanti P, Mazzon E. Use of Cannabidiol in the Treatment of Epilepsy: Efficacy and Security in Clinical Trials. Molecules. 2019 Apr;24(8):1459. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules24081459
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. Metabolism is hepatic, and CBD did not significantly modify plasma levels of most antiepileptic drugs (slightly increases the serum level of phenobarbital and phenytoin and reduces the serum level of ethosuximide)4545. Franco V, Perucca E. Pharmacological and therapeutic properties of cannabidiol for epilepsy. Drugs. 2019 Sep;79(13):1435-54. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40265-019-01171-4
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. The exception is the association of CBD and CLB, which is particularly effective, with a bidirectional interaction, in which both have an inhibitory action on metabolism, with CBD inhibiting the metabolism of CLB and its primary metabolite, and CLB inhibiting metabolism of CBD and its metabolite, 7-hydroxy-CBD4646. Morrison G, Crockett J, Blakey G, Sommerville K. A phase 1, open-label, pharmacokinetic trial to investigate possible drug-drug interactions between clobazam, stiripentol, or valproate and cannabidiol in healthy subjects. Clin Pharmacol Drug Dev. 2019 Nov;8(8):1009-31. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpdd.665
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. This association leads to a serum level increase of both drugs, enhancing their therapeutic effect, but with a potential increase in side effects such as drowsiness, sedation, respiratory hypersecretion, and infections4343. Huestis MA, Solimini R, Pichini S, Pacifici R, Carlier J, Busardò FP. Cannabidiol Adverse Effects and Toxicity. Curr Neuropharmacol. 2019;17(10):974-89. https://doi.org/10.2174/1570159X17666190603171901
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.2174/...
,4747. Cross JH, Cock H. A perspective on cannabinoids for treating epilepsy: do they really change the landscape? Neuropharmacology. 2019 Jun;170:107861. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropharm.2019.107861
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. The significant consequence of this interaction is somnolence, which can be addressed by reducing the dose. Concerning other medications, the interactions seem to be less evident, albeit not completely known.
There may also be an increase in liver enzymes when CBD is associated with sodium valproate4848. Samanta D. Cannabidiol: a review of clinical efficacy and safety in epilepsy. Pediatr Neurol. 2019 Jul;96:24-29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2019.03.014
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. Some studies have shown an increase of ≥3 times the upper limit of normal in the serum levels of alanine or aspartate aminotransferase for approximately 15% of patients taking CBD, which proved to be the main reason for the treatment to be discontinued. There is a potential risk of hepatoxicity, increased by the concomitant use of valproate. In all the cases, the laboratory abnormalities could be reversed by reducing the dose of one concomitant antiepileptic medication, mainly valproate or CLB, or after the reduction or discontinuation of CBD4949. Lattanzi S, Brigo F, Trinka E, Zaccara G, Cagnetti C, Del Giovane C, et al. Efficacy and safety of cannabidiol in epilepsy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Drugs. 2018 Nov;78(17):1791-804. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40265-018-0992-5
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,5050. Geffrey AL, Pollack SF, Bruno PL, Thiele EA. Drug-drug interaction between clobazam and cannabidiol in children with refractory epilepsy. Epilepsia. 2015 Aug;56(8):1246-51. https://doi.org/10.1111/epi.13060
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,5151. Gaston TE, Bebin EM, Cutter GR, Liu Y, Szaflarski JP, UAB CBD Program. Interactions between cannabidiol and commonly used antiepileptic drugs. Epilepsia. 2017 Sep;58(9):1586-92. https://doi.org/10.1111/epi.13852
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.
An increase in the levels of zonisamide, eslicarbazepine acetate, topiramate, and rufinamide could be observed with the concomitant use of CBD5050. Geffrey AL, Pollack SF, Bruno PL, Thiele EA. Drug-drug interaction between clobazam and cannabidiol in children with refractory epilepsy. Epilepsia. 2015 Aug;56(8):1246-51. https://doi.org/10.1111/epi.13060
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1111/...
,5151. Gaston TE, Bebin EM, Cutter GR, Liu Y, Szaflarski JP, UAB CBD Program. Interactions between cannabidiol and commonly used antiepileptic drugs. Epilepsia. 2017 Sep;58(9):1586-92. https://doi.org/10.1111/epi.13852
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The interaction of CBD with antiepileptic medications seems common in patients with epilepsy, especially with clobazam and valproate4949. Lattanzi S, Brigo F, Trinka E, Zaccara G, Cagnetti C, Del Giovane C, et al. Efficacy and safety of cannabidiol in epilepsy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Drugs. 2018 Nov;78(17):1791-804. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40265-018-0992-5
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. These two medications may significantly influence the levels of efficacy and safety of CBD and must be carefully considered in daily medical practice.
Currently available CBD presentations are marketed as supplements and therefore are not subject to regulatory regulations for medicines. Some presentations, in addition to containing high concentrations of THC, do not have the correct level of CBD. Thus, the Mayo Clinic suggests that a checklist should be made to assess whether the chosen presentation is reliable, considering: production quality control (manual of good manufacturing practices, and organic certificate with European, Australian or Canadian standards), international certification by the National Science Foundation); assess whether the company has an independent program to report adverse effects; the product must have organic certification and be tested, guaranteeing a THC concentration >0.3%, without pesticides and heavy metals5252. VanDolah HJ, Bauer BA, Mauck KF. Clinicians' Guide to Cannabidiol and Hemp Oils. Mayo Clin Proc. 2019 Sep;94(9):1840-51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mayocp.2019.01.003
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Despite all new antiepileptic drugs that have been developed in recent years, approximately 30% of patients with epilepsy continue with their seizures uncontrolled. In this context, current scientific data allow us to infer that CBD has a potential role in the treatment of these patients. However, drug interactions, safety profile, and efficacy are not yet proven66. Brucki SMD, Frota NA, Schestatsky P, Souza AH, Carvalho NC, Manreza MLG, et al. Cannabinoids in Neurology - Brazilian Academy of Neurology. Arq Neuro-Psiquiatr. 2015 Apr;73(4):371-4. https://doi.org/10.1590/0004-282X20150041
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. In this way, we must discuss with patients/family the indications of off-label CBD use, considering potential risks and benefits, and choose formulations that have a higher content of CBD with THC levels below 0.3% (Chart 2).
Cannabinoids in multiple sclerosis
The use of cannabis in MS started as a complementary symptomatic treatment, especially for those symptoms not entirely controlled by standard therapies. Several patients admit recurrent use of products derived from cannabis (PDC) to relieve symptoms such as spasticity, pain, insomnia, anxiety, ataxia, and tremor. In a cohort at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, a city where recreational marijuana use is allowed, a study found that around 30% of patients interviewed used some cannabis-derived product to treat pain, insomnia, moodiness, or spasticity without their doctor’s knowledge. Some side effects reported were forgetfulness and lack of attention. Interestingly, 35% of these PDC users had never tried traditional symptomatic medications, and 56% had previously tried only one symptomatic standard therapy. The reasons for this search for alternative treatments are still unclear and, therefore, this behavior should be studied5353. Schabas AJ, Vukojevic V, Taylor C, Thu Z, Badyal A, Chan JK, et al. Cannabis-based product use in a multiple sclerosis cohort. Mult Scler J Exp Transl Clin. 2019 Sep;5(3):2055217319869360. https://doi.org/10.1177/2055217319869360
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Cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) and type 2 (CB2) receptors are expressed in the central and peripheral nervous system and in the immune system. CB1 is more expressed in the CNS in areas associated with pain control, as well as the cerebellum, hippocampus, peripheral nerves, dorsal root ganglion, and neuromuscular junction. CB1 stimulation decreases neurotransmitter release, affecting nociceptive pathways, memory, psychic activity, and motor control. CB2 receptors are expressed in cells of the immune system as macrophages, neutrophils, and lymphocytes, which explains some of the anti-inflammatory activity of cannabinoids, which can also stimulate other receptors such as opioid and serotonergic receptors. THCs have high affinities for the CB1 receptor, which explains their actions on psychic activity, including a change in mood and consciousness. In contrast, CBD has little affinity for CB1 and CB2 receptors and may assume an antagonistic role by competing with them in the presence of THC, decreasing their potency. The main effect of CBD is on non-cannabinoid receptors, including ion channels22. Cristino L, Bisogno T, Di Marzo V. Cannabinoids and the expanded endocannabinoid system in neurological disorders. Nat Rev Neurol. 2020 Jan;16(1):9-29. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41582-019-0284-z
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.
There are no consistent studies for the therapeutic indication of cannabis in the form of cigarettes in any of the symptoms of MS. A recent meta-analysis indicated a slight efficacy of the treatment for spasticity, pain, and urinary retention in patients with MS (pwMS). But in most of them, the primary endpoint of these studies was based on subjective self-assessment scales. Objective scales, such as Ashworth’s applied by neurologists, did not show improvement in spasticity. Another issue is that there are different PDCs with different formulations being tested, for example, products with only synthetic or natural THC or even mixtures of THC and CBD in different ratios such as 1:1 or 2:1 rate, which prevented a real comparison of their effectiveness and side-effects5454. Ingram G, Pearson OR. Cannabis and multiple sclerosis. Pract Neurol. 2019 Aug;19(4):310-5. https://doi.org/10.1136/practneurol-2018-002137
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,5555. Mahase E. NICE recommends cannabis based drugs for epilepsy and multiple sclerosis. BMJ. 2019 Nov;367:l6453. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.l6453
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,5656. Penner IK, Hartung HP. The dark side of the moon: looking beyond beneficial effects of cannabis use in multiple sclerosis. Brain. 2019 Sep;142(9):2552-5. https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awz234.
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1093/...
,5757. Rice J, Cameron M. Cannabinoids for treatment of MS symptoms: state of the evidence. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2018 Jun 19;18(8):50. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11910-018-0859-x
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/...
,5858. Slaven M, Levine O. Cannabinoids for symptoms of multiple sclerosis: benefits to patients still unclear. JAMA Netw Open. 2018 Oct;1(6):e183484. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.3484
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1001/...
,5959. Torres-Moreno MC, Papaseit E, Torrens M, Farré M. Assessment of efficacy and tolerability of medicinal cannabinoids in patients with multiple sclerosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Netw Open. 2018 Oct;1(6):e183485. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.3485
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1001/...
.
There are class I, II, and III studies of compounds extracted from cannabis to treat some different symptoms, such as spasticity and pain. More than 85% of pwMS can suffer from some type of spasticity during their lifetime, which can contribute to their disability, especially in the more advanced stages of the disease. A preparation combining THC and CBD, in the ratio of 1:1, exclusively for oral use and used in the maximum dose of up to 12 puffs per day, nabiximol (SativexTM) showed an improvement of more than 20% in the spasticity parameters after four weeks of use compared to placebo. He then received FDA approval for the treatment of severe and refractory spasticity in MS5757. Rice J, Cameron M. Cannabinoids for treatment of MS symptoms: state of the evidence. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2018 Jun 19;18(8):50. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11910-018-0859-x
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/...
,5959. Torres-Moreno MC, Papaseit E, Torrens M, Farré M. Assessment of efficacy and tolerability of medicinal cannabinoids in patients with multiple sclerosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Netw Open. 2018 Oct;1(6):e183485. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.3485
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.
In neuropathic or central pain, it can affect around 70% of patients, in the form of headache (43%), neuropathic pain in the upper or lower limbs (26%), low back pain (20%), painful spasms (15%), and trigeminal neuralgia (3.8%). The studies were carried out in short periods, with variable efficacy. Nabiximols showed improvement in pain when compared to placebo in patients with MS. Another study demonstrated effectiveness in controlling chronic neuropathic pain in the association of nabilone with gabapentin. Oral cannabis extracts have shown conflicting results, and although it is not possible to conclude their effectiveness definitively, these data suggest that this may be a therapeutic option in patients who have not responded to conventional treatments6060. Rog DJ, Nurmikko TJ, Friede T, Young CA. Randomized, controlled trial of cannabis-based medicine in central pain in multiple sclerosis. Neurology. 2005 Sep;65(6):812-9. https://doi.org/10.1212/01.wnl.0000176753.45410.8b
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,6161. Turcotte D, Doupe M, Torabi M, Gomori A, Ethans K, Esfahani F, et al. Nabilone as an adjunctive to gabapentin for multiple sclerosis induced neuropathic pain: a randomized controlled trial. Pain Med. 2015 Jan;16(1):149-59. https://doi.org/10.1111/pme.12569
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.
In the treatment of tremors, the use of nabiximols or oral preparations of THC, CBD or THC/CDB, proved to be ineffective, and there is currently no indication for its use to relieve these symptoms. For urinary symptoms, nabiximols showed a likely improvement in reducing the frequency, but with no effect on urinary incontinence5959. Torres-Moreno MC, Papaseit E, Torrens M, Farré M. Assessment of efficacy and tolerability of medicinal cannabinoids in patients with multiple sclerosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Netw Open. 2018 Oct;1(6):e183485. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.3485
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1001/...
.
Retrospective studies indicate some benefit of using CBD for anxiety and insomnia after one month of treatment. These results suggest that this therapeutic option can be considered in pwMS, however, controlled and long-term studies need to be carried out to prove its real efficacy and safety5858. Slaven M, Levine O. Cannabinoids for symptoms of multiple sclerosis: benefits to patients still unclear. JAMA Netw Open. 2018 Oct;1(6):e183484. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.3484
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,5959. Torres-Moreno MC, Papaseit E, Torrens M, Farré M. Assessment of efficacy and tolerability of medicinal cannabinoids in patients with multiple sclerosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Netw Open. 2018 Oct;1(6):e183485. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.3485
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1001/...
.
Some precautions must be taken regarding the indication of PDC in MS, as their side effects can be aggravated due to the peculiarities of the disease. Symptoms such as cognitive impairment, fatigue, and mood changes, which can vary from depression to suicidal ideation, must be evaluated before indicating these substances in MS. The main side effects of cannabis use are mainly related to THC and high dosage used, which include vertigo, drowsiness, and nausea. In the long run, it can affect cognition and balance. The most severe effects are induction of psychosis and schizophrenia in at-risk individuals, heart disease (myocardial infarction, hypertension, heart failure, and stroke), and cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, which can be enhanced if associated with smoking5353. Schabas AJ, Vukojevic V, Taylor C, Thu Z, Badyal A, Chan JK, et al. Cannabis-based product use in a multiple sclerosis cohort. Mult Scler J Exp Transl Clin. 2019 Sep;5(3):2055217319869360. https://doi.org/10.1177/2055217319869360
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,5454. Ingram G, Pearson OR. Cannabis and multiple sclerosis. Pract Neurol. 2019 Aug;19(4):310-5. https://doi.org/10.1136/practneurol-2018-002137
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,5656. Penner IK, Hartung HP. The dark side of the moon: looking beyond beneficial effects of cannabis use in multiple sclerosis. Brain. 2019 Sep;142(9):2552-5. https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awz234.
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,5959. Torres-Moreno MC, Papaseit E, Torrens M, Farré M. Assessment of efficacy and tolerability of medicinal cannabinoids in patients with multiple sclerosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Netw Open. 2018 Oct;1(6):e183485. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.3485
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Mainly, regarding cognitive functions, patients are vulnerable to a time-dependent decline, control of disease activity, and type of MS (remitting-recurrent or progressive forms), affecting their quality of life and work capacity. Studies comparing patients who use PDC (inhaled or ingested) with those who do not use it demonstrated a significant worsening in information processing speed, working memory, and cognitive functions. Those who use PDC are twice as likely to have changes in the neuropsychological assessments of those who do not. Proving these findings, a recent study assessing patients who extensively used cannabis and who had previously altered neuropsychological tests, demonstrated significant improvement 28 days after ceasing its use in all cognitive domains. In addition, it was shown by functional brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) associated with the symbol digit modality test (SDMT), increased blood oxygen level-dependent activation (BOLD) in 4 regions of the neural network involved with SDMT performance after the cessation of cannabis use. In the phase 3 study of the effectiveness of nabiximol to treat spasticity, the cognitive functions evaluated by the PASAT test did not change with treatment during the study. However, more complete neuropsychological tests are needed to assess the presence of this side effect6262. Feinstein A, Meza C, Stefan C, Staines W. Coming off cannabis: a cognitive and magnetic resonance imaging study in people with multiple sclerosis. Brain. 2019 Sep;142(9):2800-2. https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awz213
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,6363. Honarmand K, Tierney MC, O'Connor P, Feinstein A. Effects of cannabis on cognitive function in patients with multiple sclerosis. Neurology. 2011 Mar;76(13):1153-60. https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0b013e318212ab0c
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.
Cannabinoids in movement disorders
Recently, there has been a growing interest in the medicinal use of cannabinoid derivatives in treating PD and other movement disorders.
Some studies have been published to seek a definitive answer on the use of cannabinoid derivatives, especially CBD, in patients with abnormal movements, with a greater interest in patients with PD due to its high prevalence.
One of the first studies carried out in PD patients treated with CBD for four weeks demonstrated a decrease in psychotic symptoms without worsening motor function or inducing adverse effects6464. Zuardi AW. Cannabidiol: from an inactive cannabinoid to a drug with wide spectrum of action. Rev Bras Psiquiatr. 2008 Sep;30(3):271-80. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1516-44462008000300015
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. Another study showed that although CBD does not improve the motor function of patients with PD or their overall symptom score, treatment for six weeks improves the quality of life of these patients, suggesting that this effect may be related to anxiolytic, antidepressant, and CBD antipsychotic drugs6363. Honarmand K, Tierney MC, O'Connor P, Feinstein A. Effects of cannabis on cognitive function in patients with multiple sclerosis. Neurology. 2011 Mar;76(13):1153-60. https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0b013e318212ab0c
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,6565. Chagas MH, Zuardi AW, Tumas V, Pena-Pereira MA, Sobreira ET, Bergamaschi MM, et al. Effects of cannabidiol in the treatment of patients with Parkinson’s disease: an exploratory double-blind trial. J Psychopharmacol. 2014 Nov;28(11):1088-98. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269881114550355
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. In 2015, Kluger et al. published a review of the preclinical and clinical studies that existed until then on the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids in various movement disorders. The conclusion was that there is not enough data to indicate certain benefits from the use of these substances in patients with involuntary movements, such as tics, dystonia, and blushing6666. Kluger B, Triolo P, Jones W, Jankovic J. The therapeutic potential of cannabinoids in Movement Disorders. Mov Disord. 2015 Mar;30(3):313-27. https://doi.org/10.1002/mds.26142
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. A similar conclusion was found for patients with PD because, although observational and uncontrolled studies suggest some positive response in motor symptoms (tremor and bradykinesia), these results have not been reproduced in controlled studies. For dystonia, two controlled studies with a small number of patients showed no benefit in the abnormal movements of patients treated with CBD compared to the control group6767. Uribe Roca MC, Micheli F, Viotti R. Cannabis sativa and dystonia secondary to Wilson’s disease. Mov Disord. 2005 Jan;20(1):113-5. https://doi.org/10.1002/mds.20268
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,6868. Consroe P, Sandyk R, Snider SR. Open label evaluation of cannabidiol in dystonic movement disorders. Int J Neurosci. 1986 Nov;30(4):277-82. https://doi.org/10.3109/00207458608985678
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. A recent review showed that regarding motor symptoms, only one study, with a small sample of patients, demonstrated the benefit of CBD use for treat L-Dopa induced dyskinesia6969. Crippa JAS, Hallak JE, Zuardi AW, Guimarães FS, Tumas V, Santos RG. Is cannabidiol the ideal drug to treat non-motor Parkinson’s disease symptoms? Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2019 Feb;269(1):121-33. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00406-019-00982-6
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In conclusion, despite the widespread by the lay media of the possible benefits of cannabinoids in movement disorders, especially PD, there are reports of some improvement in non-motor symptoms such as psychosis, sleep disorders, and pain, as well as improvement in scales that assess quality of life, there are no scientific data to support this indication. Most of the studies are uncontrolled, with a small number of patients, short follow-up, and without data on cognition and long-term evolution. The few existing controlled studies have shown no effect on PD motor symptoms, nor in patients with chorea or dystonia.
Cannabinoids in chronic pain
Chronic pain affects 28% of the general population, and it is the leading cause of years lived with disability from all diseases worldwide7070. Leão Ferreira KA, Bastos TR, Andrade DC, Silva AM, Appolinario JC, Teixeira MJ, et al. Prevalence of chronic pain in a metropolitan area of a developing country: a population-based study. Arq Neuro-Psiquiatr. 2016 Dec;74(12):990-8. https://doi.org/10.1590/0004-282X20160156
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. There are several chronic pain syndromes, grouped according to the primary pathophysiological mechanism related to their occurrence. They are classified as:
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Nociceptive/inflammatory pains.
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Neuropathic pain (central or peripheral).
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Nociplastic pain (primary headaches, fibromyalgia, and nonspecific low back pain)7171. Kosek E, Cohen M, Baron R, Gebhart GF, Mico JA, Rice AS, et al. Do we need a third mechanistic descriptor for chronic pain states? Pain. 2016 Jul;157(7):1382-6. https://doi.org/10.1097/j.pain.0000000000000507
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In one study, chronic pain was the leading cause of seeking a physician’s prescription for medical marijuana7272. Nunberg H, Kilmer B, Pacula RL, Burgdorf J. An analysis of applicants presenting to a medical marijuana specialty practice in California. J Drug Policy Anal. 2011 Feb;4(1):1. https://doi.org/10.2202/1941-2851.1017
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. However, evidence for the routine use of cannabinoids in chronic pain is still limited7373. Häuser W, Petzke F, Fitzcharles MA. Efficacy, tolerability and safety of cannabis-based medicines for chronic pain management - An overview of systematic reviews. Eur J Pain. 2018 Mar;22(3):455-70. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejp.1118
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. In some pain syndromes, such as peripheral neuropathic pain, the evidence leans against its effectiveness, especially considering a large number of first-, second-, and third-line treatments available, which were already approved and known to be useful for the treatment of this pain syndrome7474. Finnerup NB, Attal N, Haroutounian S, McNicol E, Baron R, Dworkin RH, et al. Pharmacotherapy for neuropathic pain in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Neurol. 2015 Feb;14(2):162-73. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1474-4422(14)70251-0
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Nevertheless, the use of cannabinoids may be proposed for the treatment of some specific cases in which there is no well-established evidence-based treatment, such as spinal cord injury-related pain, central post-stroke pain syndromes, neuropathic pain related to the use of chemotherapy or due to traumatic peripheral nerve. Additionally, the prescription must be based on a clear rationale, as an adjuvant treatment, and within an individualized plan treatment.
As with opioid prescriptions, patients should be frequently monitored to detect possible adverse behavioral, mood, appetite, or systemic events (i.e., bronchitis, risk of an accident while driving). Unlike opioids7575. Webster LR, Webster RM. Predicting aberrant behaviors in opioid-treated patients: preliminary validation of the opioid risk tool. Pain Med. 2005 Nov-Dec;6(6):432-42. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1526-4637.2005.00072.x
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, there are still no straightforward ways to identify patients at higher risk of developing cannabinoid-related abuse or addiction disorder. Therefore, care must be taken in instances of dysfunctional (nociplastic) pain syndromes (i.e., fibromyalgia, primary headaches), personal history of abuse of licit or illicit drugs, or personal/family history of severe psychiatric illness. In these situations, substance misuse is more frequent, regardless of their pharmacological classes, and thus special attention should be paid.
Frequently, patients with chronic pain may seek cannabinoid prescription for relief of symptoms that are not directly related to their pain, but rather to improve sleep, anxiety, concentration, mood, well-being, or muscle relaxation. The identification of this primary objective is essential to analyze whether cannabinoids would be the best treatment available for the demand and, thus, guide patients to the most appropriate form of pharmacological or non-pharmacological treatment. This “targeting of the bothersome symptoms” is also essential to monitor the real effects of cannabinoids, should they be initiated.
As with any psychotropic agent, when prescribing cannabinoids, careful history taking should be performed to accurately identify the patient’s demands, needs, and expectations regarding the treatment and use of this class of medication. Currently, the monthly cost of most cannabinoids legally approved for clinical use is high, and this factor needs to be taken into account when prescribing a drug for use in the medium and long term.
Cannabinoids in muscular diseases
The role of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in muscle physiology was initially identified in animal models as responsible for the functions related to energy expenditure and glucose uptake7676. Liu YL, Connoley IP, Wilson CA, Stock MJ. Effects of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist SR141716 on oxygen consumption and soleus muscle glucose uptake in Lep ob/Lep ob mice. Int J Obes (Lond). 2005 Feb;29(2):183-7. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0802847
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,7777. Cavuoto P, McAinch AJ, Hatzinikolas G, Janovská A, Game P, Wittert GA. The expression of receptors for endocannabinoids in human and rodent skeletal muscle. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2007 Dec;364(1):105-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbrc.2007.09.099
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. In addition to this role related to muscle energy dynamics, Iannotti and collaborators later demonstrated, through studies using gene silencing techniques associated with pharmacological tools, that the ECS has, mainly via stimulation of CB1 receptors by endogenous or exogenous cannabinoids, effects on the proliferation of myoblasts7878. Iannotti FA, Silvestri C, Mazzarella E, Martella A, Calvigioni D, Piscitelli F, et al. The endocannabinoid 2-AG controls skeletal muscle cell differentiation via CB1 receptor-dependent inhibition of Kv7 channels. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2014 Jun;111(24):E2472-81. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1406728111
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,7979. Iannotti FA, Barrese V, Formisano L, Miceli F, Taglialatela M. Specification of skeletal muscle differentiation by repressor element-1 silencing transcription factor (REST)-regulated Kv7.4 potassium channels. Mol Biol Cell. 2013 Feb;24(3):274-84. https://doi.org/10.1091/mbc.E11-12-1044
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,8080. Iannotti FA, Pagano E, Guardiola O, Adinolfi S, Saccone V, Consalvi S, et al. Genetic and pharmacological regulation of the endocannabinoid CB1 receptor in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Nat Commun. 2018 Sep;9(1):3950. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-06267-1.
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1038/...
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In this sense, it is possible to infer that the ECS possibly influences the pathophysiology of several myopathies, especially in muscular dystrophies. Studies with an animal model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) treated with phytocannabinoid agents - CBD, cannabivarin (CBDV), and tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) - showed a sustained improvement in the motor performance of treated animals when compared to controls8181. Iannotti FA. Pharmacological actions and potential therapeutic use of cannabinoids in Duchenne's muscular dystrophy. Muscular Dystrophies, Kunihiro Sakuma. IntechOpen. 2019. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.85131
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. Among the possible mechanisms involved are the anti-inflammatory effect, the autophagy recovery, and also an increase in the myoblast’s differentiation8181. Iannotti FA. Pharmacological actions and potential therapeutic use of cannabinoids in Duchenne's muscular dystrophy. Muscular Dystrophies, Kunihiro Sakuma. IntechOpen. 2019. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.85131
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. Considering their impact in human satellite cells, myotubes generation in both healthy and DMD muscle samples was seen not only with CBD and CBDV but also with THCV8282. Iannotti FA, Pagano EP, Moriello AS, Alvino FG, Sorrentino NC, D’Orsi K, et at. Effects of non‐euphoric plant cannabinoids on muscle quality and performance of dystrophic mdx mice. Br J Pharmacol. 2019 May;176(10):1568-84. https://doi.org/10.1111/bph.14460
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. Another cannabinoid derivate, tetrahydrocannabinol, was investigated in animal models regarding its effects in reducing acute muscle pain. Both local and systemic administration had an antinociceptive effect8383. Bagüés A, Martín MI, Sánchez-Robles EM. Involvement of central and peripheral cannabinoid receptors on antinociceptive effect of tetrahydrocannabinol in muscle pain Eur J Pharmacol. 2014 Dec;745:69-75. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejphar.2014.10.016
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Evidence from animal models has shown that CB2 receptors play a role in the inflammatory muscle response during the muscle repair course. Its activation attenuates the inflammatory response and favors the anti-fibrotic/pro-fibrotic balance in the muscle repair process, whereas its blockade results in the opposite effects8484. Zhang M, Jiang SK, Tian ZL, Wang M, Zhao R, Wang LL, et al. CB2R orchestrates fibrogenesis through regulation of inflammatory response during the repair of skeletal muscle contusion. Int J Clin Exp Pathol. 2015 Apr;8(4):3491-502.. Additional CB2 receptor functions may be seen in regenerated myotubes from muscle ischemia-reperfusion models where they seem to play a protective effect by relieving oxidative stress and accelerating early myogenesis. The levels of CB2 receptor protein were also higher during the differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts, an immortalized mouse myoblast cell line, suggesting the participation of the CB2 receptor in the muscle regeneration process8585. Zhang M, Zhang M, Wang L, Yu T, Jiang S, Jiang P, et al. Activation of cannabinoid type 2 receptor protects skeletal muscle from ischemia-reperfusion injury partly via Nrf2 signaling. Life Sci. 2019 Aug 1;230:55-67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lfs.2019.05.056
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This evidence regarding the immune response modulation may also find a direct effect on the pathophysiology of inflammatory myopathies, for example. In vitro evidence of the action of a CB2 receptor agonist agent on peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with dermatomyositis (DM) demonstrate its ability to reduce the secretion of IL-31 (interleukin related to the innate and adaptive immune response in the skin)8686. Kim HJ, Bonciani D, Zeidi M, Pena SM, Tiao J, Sahu S, et al. Itch in dermatomyositis: the role of increased skin interleukin-31. Br J Dermatol. 2018 Sep;179(3):669-78. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjd.16498
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. This same CB2 agonist agent proved to be tolerable and safe for patients with DM in phase II studies8787. Werth VP, Hejazi E, Pena SM, Haber JS, Okawa J, Feng R, et al. FRI0470 A phase 2 study of safety and efficacy of lenabasum (JBT-101), a cannabinoid receptor type 2 agonist, in refractory skin-predominant dermatomyositis. Ann Rheum Dis. 2018 Jun;77(Suppl. 2):763-4. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/annrheumdis-2018-eular.3531
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,8888. Werth VP, Patel B, Concha JS, Okawa J, Pearson D, Hejazi E, et al. SAT0512 Safety and efficacy of lenabasum in refractory skin-predominant dermatomyositis subjects treated in an open label extension of trial jbt101-dm-001. Ann Rheum Dis. 2018 Jun;77(Suppl. 2):111-2. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/annrheumdis-2018-eular.5629
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and, at the moment, a phase III study, for this same patient profile, is in progress8989. U.S. National Library of Medicine. ClinicalTrials.gov. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?cond=Duchenne+Muscular+Dystrophy&age_v=&gndr=&type=&rslt=&phase=2&Search=Apply
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?c...
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Considering the available in vivo evidence supporting the use of cannabinoids for myopathies, apart from the phase II studies mentioned for patients with DM, the scientific background of their possible benefit in humans is restricted only to a few reports/case series9090. Hays H. Marijuana for the Management of Proximal Myotonic Myopathy. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2001 Apr;21(4):267-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0885-3924(01)00252-4
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,9191. Montagnese F, Stahl K, Wenninger S, Schoser B. A role for cannabinoids in the treatment of myotonia? Report of compassionate use in a small cohort of patients. J Neurol. 2020 Feb;267(2):415-21. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-019-09593-6
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,9292. Montagnese F, White M, Klein A, Stahl K, Wenninger S, Schoser B. Cannabis use in myotonic dystrophy patients in Germany and USA: a pilot survey. J Neurol. 2019 Feb;266(2):530-2. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-018-9159-2
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. That said, it is paramount to state that, in the present moment, there is no sufficient evidence to recommend a systematic cannabinoid prescription for myopathic patients.
Cannabinoids in neurological rehabilitation
The indication and use of cannabinoids in a neurological rehabilitation environment is hugely restricted, with no established level of evidence for this use, except for patients with spasticity such as paraplegias or MS. Spasticity is a deficit that impacts on worsening functional capacity, resulting in problems in activities of daily living. Chronically, spasticity can lead to muscle pain, spasms or stiffness, reducing mobility, and to contracture leading to bone and joint deformities. Evidence in the literature is moderate about the impact of cannabinoids on spasticity due to MS or paraplegia, as well as adverse events such as dizziness, drowsiness, and nausea. A larger number of randomized clinical trials are needed to evaluate cannabinoids for spasticity and chronic pain in this patient population, as well as for other indications9393. Cyr C, Arboleda MF, Aggarwal SK, Balneaves LG, Daeninck P, Néron A, et al. Cannabis in palliative care: current challenges and practical recommendations. Ann Palliat Med. 2018 Oct;7(4):463-77. https://doi.org/10.21037/apm.2018.06.04
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Future studies on the use of CBD derivatives, such as Sativex, are being carried out to assist in neurological rehabilitation with a focus on improving spasticity, trunk control, and patient gait, associated with rehabilitation training with robotic assistance9494. Rovare VP, Magalhães GPA, Jardini GDA, Beraldo ML, Gameiro MO, Agarwal A,et al. Cannabinoids for spasticity due to multiple sclerosis or paraplegia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Complement Ther Med. 2017 Oct;34:170-85. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2017.08.010
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In the environment of patients undergoing neurorehabilitation who progress to palliative care or end-of-life care, cannabinoids can be used exceptionally, despite the more significant experience of use still being in oncological diseases. The purpose of use in this scenario would be to control pain. However, there is still limited evidence of the role of this drug in patients with neurodegenerative diseases, also indicated for the improvement of symptoms other than pain, such as sleep problems, fatigue, anxiety, and depression, nausea, and vomiting. Side effects of using cannabinoids are drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, anxiety, euphoria, paranoia, toxic psychosis, tachycardia, orthostatic, hypotension, slow reaction time, headache, blurred vision, cognitive impairment, and depression, with around 20% of patients discontinuing treatment due to side effects9595. Russo M, Dattola V, Logiudice AL, Ciurleo R, Sessa E, De Luca R, et al. The role Sativex in robotic rehabilitation in individuals with multiple sclerosis: rationale, study design, and methodology. Medicine (Baltimore). 2017 Nov;96(46):e8826. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000008826
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Cannabinoids in dementia
There is evidence suggesting that cannabinoids may modulate core pathophysiological mechanisms of AD, such as amyloidosis and tau-related neurodegeneration. Data from both animal and in vitro studies indicate that cannabinoids may reduce the hyperphosphorylation of Tau protein9696. Karl T, Garner B, Cheng D. The therapeutic potential of the phytocannabinoid cannabidiol for Alzheimer’s disease. Behav Pharmacol. 2017 Apr;28(2 and 3-Spec Issue):142-60. https://doi.org/10.1097/FBP.0000000000000247
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. Moreover, it seems that cannabinoids may also reduce the production of beta-amyloid peptide9696. Karl T, Garner B, Cheng D. The therapeutic potential of the phytocannabinoid cannabidiol for Alzheimer’s disease. Behav Pharmacol. 2017 Apr;28(2 and 3-Spec Issue):142-60. https://doi.org/10.1097/FBP.0000000000000247
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. Interestingly, cannabinoids may regulate microglial activation, leading to reduced neuroinflammation and oxidative stress9696. Karl T, Garner B, Cheng D. The therapeutic potential of the phytocannabinoid cannabidiol for Alzheimer’s disease. Behav Pharmacol. 2017 Apr;28(2 and 3-Spec Issue):142-60. https://doi.org/10.1097/FBP.0000000000000247
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,9797. Talarico G, Trebbastoni A, Bruno G, de Lena C. Modulation of the cannabinoid system: a new perspective for the treatment of the Alzheimer's disease. Curr Neuropharmacol. 2019;17(2):176-83. https://doi.org/10.2174/1570159X16666180702144644
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, which have been recently recognized as key neurobiological processes related to the pathophysiology of AD. Although interesting, it should be pointed out that these results come from experimental studies with animal and in vitro models; these findings have not been demonstrated in clinical practice.
Few studies have investigated the possible benefit of cannabinoids in the management of patients with dementia. Observational studies suggest that cannabinoids may be useful in the symptomatic control of behavioral changes in patients with AD or other dementias9797. Talarico G, Trebbastoni A, Bruno G, de Lena C. Modulation of the cannabinoid system: a new perspective for the treatment of the Alzheimer's disease. Curr Neuropharmacol. 2019;17(2):176-83. https://doi.org/10.2174/1570159X16666180702144644
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,9898. Hillen JB, Soulsby N, Alderman C, Caughey GE. Safety and effectiveness of cannabinoids for the treatment of neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia: a systematic review. Ther Adv Drug Saf. 2019 May;10:2042098619846993. https://doi.org/10.1177/2042098619846993
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/...
. However, there are no randomized, multicenter, double-blind studies with a large number of patients supporting the use of these drugs in clinical practice. There is no evidence that cannabinoids slow the clinical progression of AD. Therefore, eventual benefits are essentially symptomatic and not curative.
In summary, although some results are suggesting that cannabinoids may be of scientific interest in neurodegenerative diseases, there is a lack of evidence to support their clinical use in patients with dementia. Therefore, their use is not recommended for treating patients with AD and related disorders. Further studies are warranted to establish the clinical value of cannabinoids in dementia practice.
Cannabinoids and sleep disorders
The use of cannabinoids for sleep disorders has been tested in a few clinical trials (CT). Most of the CT are about studies in patients with insomnia, but some investigated the use of CBD in obstructive sleep apnea and, rarely, in other disorders as parasomnias. A summary of these findings is stated below:
Insomnia
In a meta-analysis involving 19 CT, a total of 3,231 patients with insomnia associated with various comorbidities (chronic pain, fibromyalgia, MS, etc.) had been evaluated, using different types of cannabinoids: Nabiximol (13 studies); Sativex (THC/CBD) (2 studies); THC (inhaled cannabis) (2 studies); dronabinol/nabilone (2 studies)9999. Whitining PF, Wolff RF, Deshpande S, Di Nisio M, Duffy S, Hernandez AV, et al. Cannabinoids for medical use: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA. 2015 Jun;313(24):2456-73. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2015.6358
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. However, only two of them had a low risk of bias. The meta-analysis found 8 CT that demonstrated improvement in sleep quality with the use of cannabinoids from 2 to 15 weeks compared to placebo (weighted mean difference [WWD] -0.58, 95%CI -0.87 to -0, 29). The benefit was seen mainly with nabiximol9999. Whitining PF, Wolff RF, Deshpande S, Di Nisio M, Duffy S, Hernandez AV, et al. Cannabinoids for medical use: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA. 2015 Jun;313(24):2456-73. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2015.6358
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1001/...
,100100. Ware MA, Fitzcharles MA, Joseph L, Shir Y. The effects of nabilone on sleep in fibromyalgia: results of a randomized controlled tiral. Anesth Analg. 2010 Feb;110(2):604-10. https://doi.org/10.1213/ANE.0b013e3181c76f70
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1213/...
.
In a crossover CT with 32 patients with insomnia associated with fibromyalgia, the use of nabilone 0.5 mg daily compared to 10 mg amitriptyline improved insomnia symptoms (mean difference from baseline, -3.25, 95%CI -5.26 to -1.24) and the perception of restorative sleep (mean difference from baseline, 0.48, 95%CI 0.01-0.95) in the 2 weeks that followed100100. Ware MA, Fitzcharles MA, Joseph L, Shir Y. The effects of nabilone on sleep in fibromyalgia: results of a randomized controlled tiral. Anesth Analg. 2010 Feb;110(2):604-10. https://doi.org/10.1213/ANE.0b013e3181c76f70
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1213/...
.
There is little evidence that the use of cannabinoids, such as Nabiximol and Nabilone, improves short-term sleep quality in patients with insomnia associated with chronic pain, fibromyalgia, and MS. However, no evidence supports its use for insomnia disorder.
Obstructive sleep apnea
There are two controlled placebo CT with a total of 95 patients101101. Prasad B, Radulovacki MG, Carley DW. Randomized placebo-controlled trial of dronabinol in obstructive sleep apnea. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2011;183:A2720. https://doi.org/10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2011.183.1_MeetingAbstracts.A2720
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,102102. Carley DW, Prasad B, Reid KJ, Malkani R, Attarian H, Abbott SM, et al. Pharmacotherapy of apnea by cannabimimetic enhancement, the PACE clinical trial: effects of dronabinol in obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep. 2018 Jan;41(1):zsx184. https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/zsx184
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. One of them involved 22 patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and showed a greater benefit of using dronabinol (maximum dose of 10 mg/day) versus placebo in reducing the rate of sleep apnea/hypopnea (AHI) (mean line difference base -19.64, p=0.02) with three weeks of follow-up. The other study involved 73 adult patients with moderate or severe OSA who received a placebo (n=25), 2.5 mg dronabinol (n=21), or 10 mg dronabinol (n=27) daily, 1 hour before sleep during six weeks. In comparison with placebo, dronabinol reduced dose-dependent AHI by 10.7±4.4 (p=0.02) and 12.9±4.3 (p=0.003) events/hour, with doses of 2, 5, and 10 mg/day, respectively102102. Carley DW, Prasad B, Reid KJ, Malkani R, Attarian H, Abbott SM, et al. Pharmacotherapy of apnea by cannabimimetic enhancement, the PACE clinical trial: effects of dronabinol in obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep. 2018 Jan;41(1):zsx184. https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/zsx184
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.
Although promising preliminary results with dronabinol were showed, there is still no reliable evidence that favors the use of cannabinoids for OSA treatment103103. Ramar K, Rosen IM, Kirsch DB, Chervin RD, Carden KA, Aurora RN, et al. Medical cannabis and the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea: an American Academy of Sleep Medicine position statement. J Clin Sleep Med. 2018 Apr;14(4) 679-81. https://doi.org/10.5664/jcsm.7070
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.
Parasomnias
Two CT using nabilone versus placebo demonstrated a reduction of more than 70% in the frequency of nightmares associated with post-traumatic stress syndrome104104. Fraser GA. The use of a synthetic cannabinoid in the management of treatment-resistant nightmares in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). CNS Neurosci Ther. Winter 2009;15(1):84-8. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1755-5949.2008.00071.x
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,105105. Jetly R, Heber A, Fraser G, Boisvert D. The efficacy of nabilone, a synthetic cannabinoid, in the treatment of PTSD-associated nightmares: a preliminary randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over design study. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2015 Jan;51:585-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2014.11.002
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.
An open study with four patients with REM behavior disorder (RBD) associated with PD, the use of cannabidiol (75-300 mg) led to a complete reduction of symptoms in three out of the four patients106106. Chagas MHN, Eckeli AL, Zuardi AW, Pena-Pereira MA, Sobreira-Neto MA, Sobreira ET, et al. Cannabidiol can improve complex sleep-related behaviours associated with rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder in Parkinson’s disease patients: a case series. J Clin Pharm Ther. 2014 Oct;39(5):564-6. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpt.12179
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.
There is still no clear evidence to demonstrate the benefits of using cannabinoids to treat parasomnias. More CT with a larger number of patients and longer follow-up are needed.
Cannabinoids in traumatic brain injury
The neuroprotective antioxidant effects of cannabinoids are particularly relevant in their ability to counteract “glutamate excitotoxicity,” which leads to neuronal demise after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Anecdotally, cannabis, particularly chemovars combining THC and CBD, has been beneficial in the treatment of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) symptoms: headache, nausea, insomnia, dizziness, agitation, substance abuse, and psychotic symptoms. CTE, previously known as dementia pugilistica, or “punchdrunk syndrome” has garnered a great deal of attention due to its apparent frequency among long-term American football players but including victims of repetitive head injury from causes as diverse as other contact sports, warfare and even “heading” in soccer.
Neuroprotective benefits of phytocannabinoids, particularly CBD, further outlined below, provide support for trials of these agents in post-traumatic syndrome and CTE prevention107107. Russo EB. Cannabis Therapeutics and the Future of Neurology. Front Integr Neurosci. 2018 Oct 18;12:51. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnint.2018.00051
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However, as in other neurological diseases, more research is needed, especially controlled studies with long-term follow-up, to support these results.
Cannabinoids in vestibular disorders
The use of cannabinoids for vestibular disorders has not been tested in human clinical trials (CT). Most of the information about the ECS and the vestibular system is based on studies in mice108108. Breivogel CS, Sim LJ, Childers SR: Regional differences in cannabinoid receptor/G protein coupling in rat brain. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 1997 Sep;282(3):1632-42.,109109. Ashton JC, Zheng Y, Liu P, Darlington CL, Smith PF: Immunohistochemical characterization and localization of cannabinoid CB1 receptor protein in the rat vestibular nucleus complex and effects of unilateral vestibular deafferentation. Brain Res. 2004 Sep;1021(2):264-71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainres.2004.06.065
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. The pharmacological actions of cannabinoids in the context of nausea and vomiting are limited. More research is needed to understand their effectiveness in the treatment of nausea and vomiting.110110. Galli JA, Sawaya RA, Friedenberg FK. Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome. Curr Drug Abuse Rev. 2011 Dec;4(4):241-9. https://doi.org/10.2174/1874473711104040241
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,111111. Sharkey KA, Darmani NA, Parker LA. Regulation of nausea and vomiting by cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system. Eur J Pharmacol. 2014 Jan;722:10.1016/j.ejphar.2013.09.068. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejphar.2013.09.068
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,112112. Simonetto DA, Oxentenko AS, Herman ML, Szostek JH. Cannabinoid hyperemesis: a case series of 98 patients. Mayo Clin Proc. 2012 Feb; 87(2): 114-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mayocp.2011.10.005
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There are not CT about cannabinoids and dizziness treatment113113. Smith PF, Ashton JC, Darlington CL. The endocannabinoid system: a new player in the neurochemical control of vestibular function? Audiol Neurootol. 2006 Jun;11(4):207-12. https://doi.org/10.1159/000092588
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1159/...
. On the other hand, dizziness and vertigo are commonly reported adverse side-effects in CT of medical cannabinoid 113113. Smith PF, Ashton JC, Darlington CL. The endocannabinoid system: a new player in the neurochemical control of vestibular function? Audiol Neurootol. 2006 Jun;11(4):207-12. https://doi.org/10.1159/000092588
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1159/...
,114114. Zajicek J, Fox P, Sanders H, Wright D, Vickery J, Nunn A, et al: Cannabinoids for the treatment of spasticity and other symptoms related to multiple sclerosis (CAMS study): multicentre, randomised placebo-controlled trial. Lancet. 2003 Nov;362(9395):1517-26. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(03)14738-1.
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/...
,115115. Schon F, Hart E, Hodgson TL, Pambakian AL, Ruprah M, Williamson EM, et al: Suppression of pendular nystagmus by smoking cannabis in a patient with multiple sclerosis. Neurology. 1999 Dec;53(9):2209-10. https://doi.org/10.1212/wnl.53.9.2209-a
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The are case reports that smoking cannabis can suppress pendular nystagmus in patients with MS115115. Schon F, Hart E, Hodgson TL, Pambakian AL, Ruprah M, Williamson EM, et al: Suppression of pendular nystagmus by smoking cannabis in a patient with multiple sclerosis. Neurology. 1999 Dec;53(9):2209-10. https://doi.org/10.1212/wnl.53.9.2209-a
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1212/...
,116116. Dell’Osso LF: Suppression of pendular nystagmus by smoking cannabis in a patient with multiple sclerosis. Neurology 2000;54(11):2190-1. https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.54.11.2190-b
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. Anecdotal and empirical use of CBD for some refractory vestibular disorders was reported by some of the authors of this review, but the results are not consistent.
There is a lack of evidence about the medical use of CBD for vestibular disorders and nausea; Dizziness is a possible side effect of the medicinal use of CBD.
CANNABINOIDS IN NEUROINFECTION
HIV
Several factors impact the quality of life of HIV patients, including vomits, anorexia, and pain. Anorexia in these patients can be caused by stomatitis, intermittent or chronic diarrhea, and opportunistic infections, such as cytomegalovirus, microsporidia, and cryptosporidium. Increased appetite and vomit control are fundamental for a better prognosis. Dronabinol, a synthetic form of THC, directly acts in the vomiting and appetite control centers in the brain, thereby increasing appetite and preventing vomiting117117. Badowski ME, Yanful PK. Dronabinol oral solution in the management of anorexia and weight loss in AIDS and cancer. Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2018 Apr;14:643-51. https://doi.org/10.2147/TCRM.S126849
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.2147/...
. Although it has been used for the treatment of anorexia associated to weight loss in patients with HIV/AIDS, indicators like increasing appetite, reducing nausea, and improving functional status were mostly assessed in single studies, and associations failed to reach statistical significance118118. Whiting PF, Wolff RF, Deshpande S, Di Nisio M, Duffy S, Hernandez AV, et al. Cannabinoids for Medical Use: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA. 2015 Jun;313(24):2456-73. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2015.6358
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1001/...
.
Neuropathic pain due to HIV-associated sensory neuropathy is the most common peripheral nerve disorder complicating HIV infection. It is directly associated with a decrease in daily functioning in HIV-infected individuals. Two clinical trials assessed the impact of smoked cannabis on neuropathic pain in HIV; both studies found that smoked cannabis was well tolerated and effectively relieved chronic neuropathic pain from HIV-associated sensory neuropathy (achieving at least or greater than 30% pain relief) 119119. Ellis RJ, Toperoff W, Vaida F, van den Brande G, Gonzales J, Gouaux B, et al. Smoked Medicinal Cannabis for Neuropathic Pain in HIV: A Randomized, Crossover Clinical Trial. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2009 Feb;34(3):672-80. https://doi.org/10.1038/npp.2008.120
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,120120. Abrams DI, Jay CA, Shade SB, Vizoso H, Reda H, Press S, et al. Cannabis in painful HIV-associated sensory neuropathy: a randomized placebo-controlled trial. Neurology. 2007 Feb;68(7):515-21. https://doi.org/10.1212/01.wnl.0000253187.66183.9c
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.
There is low-quality evidence that cannabinoids studies improve weight gain in HIV patients and moderate-quality evidence that it improves neuropathic pain in these patients.
Cannabinoids in headache
There are no clinical studies that support the therapeutic use of cannabinoids in any of the main primary headaches, such as migraine, tension-type headache, and cluster headache. In migraine, studies in an animal model have shown contradictory results, whereas in cluster headaches, there are only isolated reports of efficacy121121. Kandasamy R, Dawson CT, Craft RM, Morgan MM. Anti-migraine effect of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol in the female rat. Eur J Pharmacol. 2018 Jan;818:271-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejphar.2017.10.054
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,122122. Kandasamy R, Dawson CT, Hilgendorf TN, Morgan MM. Medication overuse headache following repeated morphine, but not Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol administration in the female rat. Behav Pharmacol. 2018 Aug;29(5):469-72. https://doi.org/10.1097/FBP.0000000000000382
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1097/...
,123123. Kopruszinski CM, Navratilova E, Vagnerova B, Swiokla J, Patwardhan A, Dodick D, et al. Cannabinoids induce latent sensitization in a preclinical model of medication overuse headache. Cephalalgia. 2020 Jan;40(1):68-78. https://doi.org/10.1177/0333102419865252
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/...
,124124. McDonough P, McKenna JP, McCreary C, Downer EJ. Neuropathic orofacial pain: Cannabinoids as a therapeutic avenue. Int J Biochem Cell Biol. 2014 Oct;55:72-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocel.2014.08.007
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,125125. Leroux E, Taifas I, Valade D, Donnet A, Chagnon M, Ducros A. Use of cannabis among 139 cluster headache sufferers. Cephalalgia. 2013 Feb;33(3):208-13. https://doi.org/10.1177/0333102412468669
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/...
,126126. Robbins MS, Tarshish S, Solomon S, Grosberg BM. Cluster attacks responsive to recreational cannabis and dronabinol. Headache. 2009 Jun;49(6):914-6. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1526-4610.2009.01344.x
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1111/...
. Even though some painful neuropathies of the cephalic segment, such as trigeminal neuralgia, burning mouth syndrome, and persistent idiopathic facial pain seem to respond to the use of cannabinoids, their use is not recommended by the guidelines or consensus regarding the treatment of headache, due to the lack of conclusive data.
The prescription of medical cannabinoids must be discussed with each patient and family. Neurologists have to know adverse effects and possible pharmacological interactions among prescribed medications. There are many cannabinoids compounds with few known information, which could be promising in many neurological diseases. We need to clarify misunderstood conceptions about the medical use of cannabidiol and derivative synthetic cannabinoids. We have to research cannabinoids’ actions in neurological disorders, with randomized, blind, and controlled trials to confirm their beneficial effects, remembering that many usually prescribed substances for some conditions are used off-label.
Safety in using Cannabis-based treatment
Use of cannabis-based products can be associated with several adverse events and these must be considered before prescribing them as a medicines. The adverse events may be related to the route of administration or to its content, but also to user’s behavior, drug to drug interactions, family history, and other medical conditions. One of the challenges in prescribing a cannabis-based treatment, besides the lack of evidence for some alleged indication, is the fact that some of the preparations of cannabis-based medicine are faced as herbal medicine and considered harmless.
A basic knowledge from the prescriber is expected concerning the associated risks in these therapies. Different onset of action, duration and self-titration possibilities are observed depending on the administration route, faster to slower in smoked, vaporized, inhaled, oil, oil-capsule, and edible respectively, as quick as 5 min to few hours to initiate the effect, and 2 to 12 hours of duration (Table 1). Because of its slow start of action there is an increased risk of higher dosage in edibles presentation, despite some patient ideas of a safer use experience with edibles127127. Lucas CJ, Galettis P, Schneider J. The pharmacokinetics and the pharmacodynamics of cannabinoids. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2018 Nov;84(11):2477-82. https://doi.org/10.1111/bcp.13710
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.
Cannabinoids should be avoided as much as possible in patients below 25 years-old, in those with family history of psychotic symptoms, in patients that describe a bad experience in previous exposition to marijuana, or who are heavy drinkers, heavy tobacco smoking, with poor cardiac conditions, hypotension, and not to be used in pregnant, in those who intend to get pregnant or breastfeeding women128128. Fischer B, Russell C, Sabioni P, van den Brink W, Le Foll B, Hall W, et al. Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines: a comprehensive update of evidence and recommendations. Am J Public Health. 2017 Aug;107(8):e1-e12. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2017.303818
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.
Respiratory complications in inhaled or vaporized forms as rhinitis, chronic bronchitis, and pulmonary hemorrhage and coagulopathy in synthetic presentations of inhaled cannabinoids are described129129. Tole M, LaBedz S, Feinstein DL, Rubinstein I. Adherence to long-term follow-up of patients with life threatening, inhaled synthetic cannabinoids-associated coagulopathy in Chicago. Lung. 2019 Jun;197(3):349-52. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00408-019-00227-2
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/...
,130130. Imtiaz M, Saha B, Ullah US, Saha A. A case of acute life-threatening pulmonary hemorrhage from synthetic cannabinoid abuse. Case Reports in Pulmonology 2019: Article ID 8137648. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/8137648
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. Local injury in oromucosal after prolonged use of THC/CBD oromucosal spray is referred by some MS patients. This usually is transitory and prompted recovered after a brief interruption131131. Scully C. Cannabis: adverse effects from an oromucosal spray. Br Dent J. 2007;203:E12. https://doi.org/10.1038/bdj.2007.749
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.
The THC/CBD content is not uniform throughout all the presentations, leading to a higher risk of a lower or a higher dosage comparing with the desired one. Cannabinoids interaction with liver metabolized drugs, using several enzymes of the P450 CYP system, is well known132132. Alsherbiny MA, Li CG. Medicinal Cannabis - potential drug interactions. Medicines (Basel). 2018 Dec;6(1):3. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicines6010003
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. Amongst antiseizure medications there is evidence showing an increase in levels of topiramate, rufinamide, zonisamide, eslicarbazepine and N-desmethylclobazam, this last one with increased sedation, in epilepsy patients5151. Gaston TE, Bebin EM, Cutter GR, Liu Y, Szaflarski JP, UAB CBD Program. Interactions between cannabidiol and commonly used antiepileptic drugs. Epilepsia. 2017 Sep;58(9):1586-92. https://doi.org/10.1111/epi.13852
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. Concomitant use of anticoagulants like warfarin carries an increase in bleeding risk. Other associations to be avoided are St John wort (Hypericum perforatum), rifampin, ketoconazole, and some antiviral drugs5151. Gaston TE, Bebin EM, Cutter GR, Liu Y, Szaflarski JP, UAB CBD Program. Interactions between cannabidiol and commonly used antiepileptic drugs. Epilepsia. 2017 Sep;58(9):1586-92. https://doi.org/10.1111/epi.13852
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.
Another concern regarding cannabis-based medicine is the driving skills. It is well known that THC impairs the ability to drive, and the time lapse between THC use and safety drive is considered between six to eight hours after consumption133133. Arkell TR, Lintzeris N, Kevin RC, Ramaekers JG, Vandrey R, Irwin C, et al. Cannabidiol (CBD) content in vaporized cannabis does not prevent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) - induced impairment of driving and cognition. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2019 Sep;236(9):2713-24. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-019-05246-8
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/...
,134134. Celius EG, Vila C. The influence of THC: CBD oromucosal spray on driving in patients with multiple sclerosis-related spasticity. Brain Behav. 2018 Apr;8(5):e00962. https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.962
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. That may not be the case for pure CBD content medicines, but few studies addressed that at this moment. A 2018 literature review evaluating the driving skills specifically in MS patients having THC/CBD mucosal spray for spasticity treatment did not find any evidence of increase in motor vehicle-accident in those patients, with reference to improvement in motor and cognitive abilities related to driving134134. Celius EG, Vila C. The influence of THC: CBD oromucosal spray on driving in patients with multiple sclerosis-related spasticity. Brain Behav. 2018 Apr;8(5):e00962. https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.962
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.
The Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines (LRCUG) published in 2017 summarizes behaviors that can decrease or increase the associated risk of cannabis use and is a good line to follow to offer a safer experience to cannabis treated patient128128. Fischer B, Russell C, Sabioni P, van den Brink W, Le Foll B, Hall W, et al. Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines: a comprehensive update of evidence and recommendations. Am J Public Health. 2017 Aug;107(8):e1-e12. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2017.303818
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.2105/...
.
Finally, while we wait for good evidence publications, in favor or against cannabis medicine, knowing the mechanisms of action, the pharmacology, the restrictions and contraindications may be more helpful to our patients than been excited to any new biased indication.
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Publication Dates
-
Publication in this collection
09 June 2021 -
Date of issue
Apr 2021
History
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Received
07 Dec 2020 -
Accepted
08 Dec 2020