`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.`

                   Return Back To Main Medical Reports Page    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]                    Return Back To Main Medical Page

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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.

`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.`