Cannabis and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Hypothetical and Practical Applications, and a Call for Clinical Trials
- 3 May 2010
- journal article
- other
- Published by SAGE Publications in American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine®
- Vol. 27 (5), 347-356
- https://doi.org/10.1177/1049909110369531
Abstract
Significant advances have increased our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), yet this has not translated into any greatly effective therapies. It appears that a number of abnormal physiological processes occur simultaneously in this devastating disease. Ideally, a multidrug regimen, including glutamate antagonists, antioxidants, a centrally acting anti-inflammatory agent, microglial cell modulators (including tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α] inhibitors), an antiapoptotic agent, 1 or more neurotrophic growth factors, and a mitochondrial function-enhancing agent would be required to comprehensively address the known pathophysiology of ALS. Remarkably, cannabis appears to have activity in all of those areas. Preclinical data indicate that cannabis has powerful antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects. In the G93A-SOD1 ALS mouse, this has translated to prolonged neuronal cell survival, delayed onset, and slower progression of the disease. Cannabis also has properties applicable to symptom management of ALS, including analgesia, muscle relaxation, bronchodilation, saliva reduction, appetite stimulation, and sleep induction. With respect to the treatment of ALS, from both a disease modifying and symptom management viewpoint, clinical trials with cannabis are the next logical step. Based on the currently available scientific data, it is reasonable to think that cannabis might significantly slow the progression of ALS, potentially extending life expectancy and substantially reducing the overall burden of the disease.Keywords
This publication has 99 references indexed in Scilit:
- Acute glial activation by stab injuries does not lead to overt damage or motor neuron degeneration in the G93A mutant SOD1 rat model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosisExperimental Neurology, 2010
- Antidepressant‐like effects of cannabidiol in mice: possible involvement of 5‐HT1AreceptorsBritish Journal of Pharmacology, 2010
- Atypical Responsiveness of the Orphan Receptor GPR55 to Cannabinoid LigandsOnline Journal of Public Health Informatics, 2009
- Characterization of the Endocannabinoid System in Human Neuronal Cells and Proteomic Analysis of Anandamide-induced ApoptosisOnline Journal of Public Health Informatics, 2009
- Endocannabinoids and immune regulationPharmacological Research, 2009
- CB2 receptor activation attenuates microcirculatory dysfunction during cerebral ischemic/reperfusion injuryMicrovascular Research, 2009
- Estrogen and Tamoxifen Protect against Mn-Induced Toxicity in Rat Cortical Primary Cultures of Neurons and AstrocytesToxicological Sciences, 2009
- Nutrition and Dietary Supplements in Motor Neuron DiseasePhysical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics of North America, 2008
- Smoked Medicinal Cannabis for Neuropathic Pain in HIV: A Randomized, Crossover Clinical TrialNeuropsychopharmacology, 2008
- Significance of Cannabinoid CB1 Receptors in Improgan AntinociceptionThe Journal of Pain, 2007