title: Potential control of multiple sclerosis by cannabis and the endocannabinoid system.
abstract: For many years, multiple sclerosis (MS) patients have been self-medicating with illegal street cannabis to alleviate symptoms associated with MS. Data from animal models of MS and clinical studies have supported the anecdotal data that cannabis can improve symptoms such as limb spasticity, which are commonly associated with progressive MS, by the modulation of excessive neuronal signalling. This has lead to cannabis-based medicines being approved for the treatment of pain and spasticity in MS for the first time. Experimental studies into the biology of the endocannabinoid system have revealed that cannabinoids have activity, not only in symptom relief but also potentially in neuroprotective strategies which may slow disease progression and thus delay the onset of symptoms such as spasticity. This review appraises the current knowledge of cannabinoid biology particularly as it pertains to MS and outlines potential future therapeutic strategies for the treatment of disease progression in MS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience and Trauma, Blizard Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, 4, Newark Street, London E1 2AT, UK. g.pryce@qmul.ac.uk
authors.forename: Gareth
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pryce
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Baker
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000187:drug effects; D063386:Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D063388:Endocannabinoids / Q000819:agonists / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D056747:Immunomodulation / Q000187:drug effects; D008385:Marijuana Smoking / Q000378:metabolism; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000819:agonists / Q000378:metabolism; D043882:Receptors, Cannabinoid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D063386:Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D043882:Receptors, Cannabinoid