Why do cannabinoids not show consistent effects as analgetic drugs in multiple sclerosis?
The effectiveness of cannabinoids (CB) in the treatment of pain in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) varies. The pathogenesis of pain in MS is diverse as are the possible effects of CB at different sites of CB receptors in the peripheral and central nervous system, this may explain the variable impact on individual patients. The aim of this review is to summarize pre-clinical and clinical studies to explain this variability from a neuropharmacological point of view. Future studies are needed to examine specific effects on distinct symptoms in homogenous groups of patients.
Lienau
F S
FS
Neurochemical Research Group, Department of Neurology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany. florian.lienau@neuro.uni-luebeck.de
Füllgraf
H
H
Moser
A
A
Feuerstein
T J
TJ
D000700:Analgesics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D063386:Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists; D063385:Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism; D043882:Receptors, Cannabinoid / Q000378:metabolism
D000700:Analgesics; D063386:Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists; D063385:Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators; D002186:Cannabinoids; D043882:Receptors, Cannabinoid