Emerging Properties of Cannabinoid Medicines in Management of Multiple Sclerosis
Gareth Pryce and David Baker, "Emerging properties of cannabinoid medicines in management of multiple sclerosis," Trends in Neurosciences 28, issue 5 (May 2005): 272-276.
This review by two leading British researchers reviews current knowledge of how cannabinoids, marijuana's unique active components, may benefit multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. They note that human trials consistently show improvement in pain and other symptoms. While study results of objective measures of symptoms like spasticity are less clear, this may well be due to limitations in the trials' design -- including use of orally administered cannabinoids, which are widely recognized to be less effective than inhaled marijuana. In addition, they note that evidence is accumulating that cannabinoids don't just relieve symptoms, they actually protect nerve cells from damage.
Free abstract and full text for a fee are available at http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/01662236.
