Therapeutic potential of cannabinoids in neurological conditions: a systematic review of clinical trials
Summary & key facts
This paper reviewed about 47 completed clinical trials that tested cannabinoids — mainly THC and CBD — for neurological problems. Most trials looked at conditions such as multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, and Parkinson’s disease, and measured effects on pain, muscle stiffness (spasticity), and thinking or memory. The reviewers found promising signs that cannabinoids can reduce symptoms like spasticity and some types of pain, and that CBD has clear benefits for some rare childhood epilepsies. But the studies used very different doses, treatments, and ways of measuring results, so doctors still lack clear rules for using these drugs in everyday care.
Key facts:
- The authors searched ClinicalTrials.gov and included 47 completed clinical trials that tested cannabinoids for neurological conditions.
- Most of the trials were early-to-mid-stage studies (Phase 2) and focused on pain relief, reducing muscle stiffness (spasticity), and cognitive function.
- The conditions studied most often were multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, and Parkinson’s disease.
- A combined THC+CBD mouth spray called Sativex has shown benefits for spasticity in multiple sclerosis and is approved for that use in some countries.
- Pure CBD products have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for two severe childhood epilepsies, and trials showed they reduce seizure frequency compared with placebo.
- Across trials, cannabinoids often appeared to be reasonably well tolerated and had a more favorable safety profile than opioids in some studies.
- A major problem in the literature is lack of standardization: trials used many different doses, drug forms, and outcome measures, which makes it hard to compare results or create clear clinical guidelines.
Abstract
clinicatrials.gov.
Topics
Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology ResearchCategories
Health Sciences Medicine PharmacologyTags
Biochemistry Bioinformatics Biology Cannabinoid Clinical trial Intensive care medicine Internal medicine Medicine MEDLINE Neuroscience Pharmacology Receptor Synthetic cannabinoids Systematic reviewSubstances
Cannabis medical cannabisConditions & symptoms
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