`Marijuana Inhibits Neuro-degeneration In Animal Model Of Multiple Sclerosis,`

`Study Says`

`London, United Kingdom: Cannabinoids and the cannabinoid receptor system offer neuroprotection against allergic encephalo myelitis (EAE), an animal model of Multiple Sclerosis (MS), according to findings published in the July 22, 2003 issue of the journal Brain.`

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Scientists at London's Institute of Neurology determined that mice
deficient in the cannabinoid receptor CB1 developed "substantial
neurodegeneration" as a result of EAE Researchers also noted that
"exogenous CB1 agonists (agents that bind to the receptor, such as 
THC)can provide significant neuroprotection from the consequences of
inflammatory CNS disease in an experimental ... model."

Authors concluded: "Therefore, in addition to symptom management,
cannabis may also slow down the neurodegenerative processes that
ultimately lead to chronic disability in multiple sclerosis and 
probably 
other diseases."

Multiple sclerosis is believed to be a neurodegenerative disease that 
is 
triggered by an inflammatory attack of the central nervous system.
Although several previous human studies have demonstrated that 
marijuana 
may provide symptomatic relief to common symptoms of MS such as muscle 
spasms, depression and incontinence, the U.K. study is one of the first 
to indicate that cannabinoids may potentially stave the onset of the 
disease.

A previous study published in the May 6, 2003 issue of the journal
NeuroReport similarly noted that "cannabinoids could provide
neuroprotection" and "modify neurodegeneration in Huntington's 
disease."

For more information, please contact Paul Armentano, NORML Senior 
PolicyAnalyst, at (202) 483-5500. Abstracts of both studies, 
"Cannabinoids inhibit neurodegeneration in models of multiple 
sclerosis" 
and "Effects of cannabinoids in the rat model of Huntington's disease 
generated by an intrastriatal injection of malonate," are available 
online via the PubMed
search engine at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/PubMed/
<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/PubMed/>

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Brain. 2003 Jul 22 [Epub ahead of print].

Cannabinoids inhibit neurodegeneration in models of multiple sclerosis.

Pryce G, Ahmed Z, Hankey DJ, Jackson SJ, Croxford JL, Pocock JM, Ledent 
C, Petzold A, Thompson AJ, Giovannoni G, Cuzner ML, Baker D.

Department of Neuroinflammation, Institute of Neurology, University 
College London, London, UK.

Multiple sclerosis is increasingly being recognized as a 
neurodegenerative disease that is triggered by inflammatory attack of 
the CNS. As yet there is no satisfactory treatment. Using experimental 
allergic encephalo myelitis (EAE), an animal model of multiple 
sclerosis, we demonstrate that the cannabinoid system is 
neuroprotective 
during EAE. Mice deficient in the cannabinoid receptor CB1 tolerate 
inflammatory and excito toxic insults poorly and develop substantial 
neurodegeneration following immune attack in EAE. In addition, 
exogenous 
CB1 agonists can provide significant
neuroprotection from the consequences of inflammatory CNS disease in an 
experimental allergic uveitis model. Therefore, in addition to symptom
management, cannabis may also slow the neurodegenerative processes that 
ultimately lead to chronic disability in multiple sclerosis and 
probably 
other diseases.
PMID: 12876144 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]


 
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