title: Multiple sclerosis, cannabinoids, and cognition.
abstract: There is increasing interest in the therapeutic potential of cannabis-based medicinal extracts in multiple sclerosis. Cognitive deficits that have been attributed to long-term heavy recreational use of cannabis are not necessarily extended to controlled pharmaceutical use of cannabis-based medicinal extracts. Available data indicate that after relatively short-term administration of cannabis-based medicinal extracts no significant cognitive decline occurs. Due to the absence of large scale long-term systematic clinical trials of cannabis-based medicinal extracts in multiple sclerosis therapeutics, however, many issues remain unresolved, including the possible adverse effects of cannabis-based medicinal extracts on cognition. This article critically reviews the current literature and considers the potential for cognitive adverse effects of long-term cannabinoid use in multiple sclerosis therapeutics.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Neuropsychology Section, University of Patras Medical School, Rion, Patras, Greece.
authors.forename: Panagiotis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Papathanasopoulos
authors.forename: Lambros
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Messinis
authors.forename: Epameinondas
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lyros
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kastellakis
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Panagis
mesh_terms: D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D002186:Cannabinoids