Category Archives: Tourette’s Syndrome

Targeting the endocannabinoid system with cannabinoid receptor agonists: pharmacological strategies and therapeutic possibilities.

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Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences: 367 (1607)

“Human tissues express cannabinoid CB(1) and CB(2) receptors that can be activated by endogenously released ‘endocannabinoids’ or exogenously administered compounds in a manner that reduces the symptoms or opposes the underlying causes of several disorders in need of effective therapy. Three medicines that activate cannabinoid CB(1)/CB(2) receptors are now in the clinic: Cesamet (nabilone), Marinol (dronabinol; Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ(9)-THC)) and Sativex (Δ(9)-THC with cannabidiol). These can be prescribed for the amelioration of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (Cesamet and Marinol), stimulation of appetite (Marinol) and symptomatic relief of cancer pain and/or management of neuropathic pain and spasticity in adults with multiple sclerosis (Sativex). This review mentions several possible additional therapeutic targets for cannabinoid receptor agonists. These include other kinds of pain, epilepsy, anxiety, depression, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s diseases, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, stroke, cancer, drug dependence, glaucoma, autoimmune uveitis, osteoporosis, sepsis, and hepatic, renal, intestinal and cardiovascular disorders. It also describes potential strategies for improving the efficacy and/or benefit-to-risk ratio of these agonists in the clinic. These are strategies that involve (i) targeting cannabinoid receptors located outside the blood-brain barrier, (ii) targeting cannabinoid receptors expressed by a particular tissue, (iii) targeting upregulated cannabinoid receptors, (iv) selectively targeting cannabinoid CB(2) receptors, and/or (v) adjunctive ‘multi-targeting’.”  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23108552

“Targeting the endocannabinoid system with cannabinoid receptor agonists: pharmacological strategies and therapeutic possibilities”  http://rstb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/367/1607/3353.long

Major Health Benefits of Medical Cannabis

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“The benefits of medical marijuana plant are extensive, pervasive, and long-standing. Because of the way the cannabis impacts the Autonomic Nervous System which develops the breath and relaxes the body, prospective for health and curative characteristics are huge. Some of the major health benefits of medical cannabis are explained below:

Treats Migraines

Cannabis healing has been very effective in the treatment of migraine headaches. Migraine headaches are vascular in source and are often preceded by an air characterized by nausea, flashes of light, faintness or photosensitivity.

Slows Down Tumor Growth

Studies have shown that cannabis help in slow down the facsimile and slow down the production of cancer cells in body. It is also a natural antiemetic, which makes it effectual in plummeting the nausea and vomiting related with chemo and radiation therapies. So taking marijuana slows down the tumor growth too.

Relieves Symptoms of Chronic Diseases

Marijuana is one of the best natural pain relievers that can help sufferers of chronic pain live more relaxed lives. The side effects are often much less severe than the other common pain medications.

Prevents Alzheimer’s

Cannabis reduces the occurrence of depression in Alzheimer’s patients, which can help patients to keep up a higher level of brain function. That is a powerful way to keep patients performance for a longer time after the first onset of Alzheimer’s disease.

Treats Glaucoma

Some strains of this medicinal plant have been shown that, they are potentially decreasing the force that glaucoma can place on the optic nerve; thereby the patients can easily cut the critical condition by smoking or taking the marijuana edibles or medicines.

Prevents Seizures

Seizure is a kind of epilepsy which almost affects more than 2 millions of Americans and 30 millions of people worldwide. Epilepsy is a condition when some of the brain cells become abnormally excitable. People using marijuana to control epilepsy should be alert when there is any removal of any tablets which controls seizures may leave you more susceptible to the patient. Marijuana is no exception. Patients with epilepsy are advised to exercise caution when using oral THC because there is no enough sufficient knowledge about the convulsive or anti-convulsive properties of the single compound.

For ADD and ADHD

Many people who endure with ADD and/or ADHD find that medical cannabis recovers their knack to hub and their level of recital with definite tasks. There are no clinical studies on humans but there are some beginner studies have done on animals that point to less hyperactivity and impulsivity with the use of cannabinoids (the active medicines in cannabis).

Relieve PMS

Millions of women have an illness on Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS). PMS includes the symptoms of headaches, abdominal cramps, bloating and fluid retention. Many women report that they have tried several different medications but none as give any significant relief like Medical Marijuana. Cannabis medicine has shown to give symptomatic relief from all the unpleasant symptoms of PMS.

Calm Those With Tourette’s and OCD

Several psychological disorders have been known to be related with the medical benefits of marijuana as well. Taking weed of prescribed amount on regular basis can slow down the tics for those who are suffering from Tourette’s syndrome and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Yes some of the qualities in marijuana plant help the patient to calm themselves when any creation of intrusive thoughts which produces fear, uneasiness and abnormal behaviors.”

http://www.herbalmission.org/major-health-benefits-of-medical-cannabis.php

Marijuana Compound Effective In Treating Tourette’s Syndrome, Study Says

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“Thursday, 15 May 2003

Hanover, Germany: A primary compound in marijuana, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is effective in reducing “tics” in patients suffering from Tourette’s Syndrome (TS), according to clinical trail data published in a recent edition of the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. Tourette’s Syndrome is a complex neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by motor tics (sudden spasms especially in the facial muscles, neck and shoulders) and one or more vocal tics.

Twenty-four patients participated in the double-blind placebo-controlled trial over a period of six weeks. Treatment with up to 10 mg of THC resulted in significant improvement of tic severity, authors wrote. No serious adverse effects to the treatment were reported.

In a separate article published in Neuropsychopharmacology, authors elaborated, “No detrimental effect was seen on learning curve, interference, recall and recognition of word lists, immediate visual memory span, and divided attention” from THC during or after the treatment.

The 24-patient study confirmed previous smaller patient trials that also found THC to be effective in the treatment of tics and behavioral problems in patients with Tourette’s Syndrome.”

http://norml.org/news/2003/05/15/marijuana-compound-effective-in-treating-tourette-s-syndrome-study-says

Marijuana Successfully Treats Tourette’s Syndrome, Study Shows

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“Thursday, 11 March 1999

German researchers report that the consumption of the marijuana compound THC alleviates symptoms of Tourette’s Syndrome. The researchers published their findings in this month’s issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry.

“Earlier reports suggested beneficial effects in Tourette’s syndrome when smoking marijuana,” the German research team wrote. “We report a successful treatment of Tourette’s syndrome with delta-9-tetrahydocannabinol, the major psychoactive ingredient of marijuana.”

Tourette’s syndrome is a complex neuropsychiatric disorder that is characterized by sudden spasms, so called “tics,” that occur especially in the face, neck, and shoulders.

The researchers found that a 25-year-old patient treated with 10 mg of THC experienced marked improvement of both vocal and motor tics associated with behavioral disorders. “The improvement began 30 minutes after treatment and lasted for about seven hours,” the researchers reported. “No adverse effects occurred.”

Researchers stated, “This is the first report of a successful treatment of Tourette’s syndrome with delta-9-THC.” They said they are planning to confirm their preliminary results in an upcoming double-blind, placebo controlled, crossover study.

NORML board member Dr. Lester Grinspoon of Harvard Medical School called inhaled marijuana’s effects on patients suffering from Tourette’s “impressive,” and said that the drug holds tremendous potential as a course of treatment for the disease.

For more information, please contact either Allen St. Pierre of The NORML Foundation @ (202) 483-8751 or NORML board member Dr. Lester Grinspoon of Harvard Medical School @ (617) 277-3621.”

http://norml.org/news/1999/03/11/marijuana-successfully-treats-tourette-s-syndrome-study-shows

[The endogenous cannabinoid system. Therapeutic implications for neurologic and psychiatric disorders].

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Abstract

“For about 5,000 years, cannabis has been used as a therapeutic agent. There has been growing interest in the medical use of cannabinoids. This is based on the discovery that cannabinoids act with specific receptors (CB1 and CB2). CB1 receptors are located in specific brain areas (e.g. cerebellum, basal ganglia, and hippocampus) and CB2 receptors on cells of the immune system. Endogenous ligands of the cannabinoid receptors were also discovered (e.g. anandamids). Many physiologic processes are modulated by the two subtypes of cannabinoid receptor: motor functions, memory, appetite, and pain. These innovative neurobiologic/pharmacologic findings could possibly lead to the use of synthetic and natural cannabinoids as therapeutic agents in various areas. Until now, cannabinoids were used as antiemetic agents in chemotherapy-induced emesis and in patients with HIV-wasting syndrome. Evidence suggests that cannabinoids may prove useful in some other diseases, e.g. movement disorders such as Gilles de la Tourette’s syndrome, multiple sclerosis, and pain. These new findings also explain the acute adverse effects following cannabis use.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15776259

Oral delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol improved refractory Gilles de la Tourette syndrome in an adolescent by increasing intracortical inhibition: a case report.

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Abstract

“OBJECTIVE:

To describe the clinical course of the Delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta 9-THC) treatment of a boy with Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome (TS) and comorbid attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in relation to Delta 9-THC plasma levels and intracortical inhibition measured by transcranial magnetic stimulation.

METHODS:

The clinical course and pharmacological and neurophysiological measures are reported in a 15-year-old boy with treatment refractory TS plus ADHD leading to severe physical and psychosocial impairment.

RESULTS:

Administration of Delta 9-THC improved tics considerably without adverse effects, allowing parallel stimulant treatment of comorbid ADHD. Along with the Delta 9-THC treatment, intracortical inhibition was increased, reflected in the enhanced short-interval intracortical inhibition and the prolongation of the cortical silent period.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our observation suggests that Delta 9-THC might be a successful alternative in patients with severe TS refractory to classic treatment. Particularly in the case of stimulant-induced exacerbation of tics, Delta 9-THC might enable successful treatment of comorbid ADHD. The enhancement of intracortical inhibition might be mediated by modulating release of several neurotransmitters including dopamine and gamma-aminobutyric acid. Further studies are needed to substantiate our findings.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20520294

Cannabinoids improve driving ability in a Tourette’s patient.

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“Cannabinoids improve driving ability in a Tourette’s patient.”
“For many patients diagnosed with a neuropsychiatric disorder, the ability to drive a car plays a crucial part in their functional autonomy. Surprisingly, there were no data available in a PubMed search performed in March 2011 concerning Tourette’s Syndrome and driving ability. According to our knowledge, this is the first report on driving ability in a drug-free Tourette’s patient as well as after cannabinoid therapy.”

Cannabinoids: possible role in patho-physiology and therapy of Gilles de la Tourette syndrome.

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Abstract

“High densities of cannabinoid receptors were found in the basal ganglia and hippocampus, indicating a putative functional role of cannabinoids in movement and behaviour. Anecdotal reports suggested beneficial effects of marijuana in Tourette’s syndrome (TS). We therefore interviewed 64 TS patients with regard to use of marijuana and its influence on TS symptomatology. Of 17 patients (27%) who reported prior use of marijuana, 14 subjects (82%) experienced a reduction or complete remission of motor and vocal tics and an amelioration of premonitory urges and obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Our results provide more evidence that marijuana improves tics and behavioural disorders in TS. It can be speculated that cannabinoids might act through specific receptors, and that the cannabinoid system might play a major role in TS pathology.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9879795

Cannabinoids reduce symptoms of Tourette’s syndrome.

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Abstract

“Currently, the treatment of Tourette’s syndrome (TS) is unsatisfactory. Therefore, there is expanding interest in new therapeutical strategies. Anecdotal reports suggested that the use of cannabis might improve not only tics, but also behavioural problems in patients with TS. A single-dose, cross-over study in 12 patients, as well as a 6-week, randomised trial in 24 patients, demonstrated that Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the most psychoactive ingredient of cannabis, reduces tics in TS patients. No serious adverse effects occurred and no impairment on neuropsychological performance was observed. If well-established drugs either fail to improve tics or cause significant adverse effects, in adult patients, therapy with Delta9-THC should be tried. At present, it remains unclear whether herbal cannabis, different natural or synthetic cannabinoid CB1-receptor agonists or agents that interfere with the inactivation of endocannabinoids, may have the best adverse effect profile in TS.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14521482

Delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is effective in the treatment of tics in Tourette syndrome: a 6-week randomized trial.

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“Preliminary studies suggested that delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the major psychoactive ingredient of Cannabis sativa L., might be effective in the treatment of Tourette syndrome (TS).

This study was performed to investigate for the first time under controlled conditions, over a longer-term treatment period, whether THC is effective and safe in reducing tics in TS.

CONCLUSION:

Our results provide more evidence that THC is effective and safe in the treatment of tics. It, therefore, can be hypothesized that the central cannabinoid receptor system might play a role in TS pathology.”

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12716250

“Our results provide more evidence that THC is effective and safe in the treatment of tics.” http://www.psychiatrist.com/jcp/article/Pages/2003/v64n04/v64n0417.aspx