Cannabis 'does not slow progress of MS'

Cannabis does not slow progression of multiple sclerosis, Westcountry researchers have concluded.

The £8 million Cupid (Cannabinoid Use in Progressive Inflammatory brain Disease) study was carried out by the Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry in Plymouth.

It involved patients taking pills containing the main active chemical in cannabis - tetrahydrocannabinol or THC - for three years.

The study found that there was no evidence it affected the progression of MS, but THC did help to ease symptoms.

Lead researcher Professor John Zajicek presented the preliminary results at the Association of British Neurologists' annual meeting in Brighton.

He said: "Overall, our research has not supported laboratory-based findings and shown that, although there is a suggestion of benefit to those at the lower end of the disability scale when they joined Cupid, there is little evidence to suggest that THC has a long-term impact on the slowing of progressive MS."

Prof Zajicek revealed that there was currently no treatment available to slow MS when the disease became progressive.

"Progression of MS is thought to be due to death of nerve cells, and researchers around the world are desperately searching for treatments that may be neuroprotective."

Prof Zajicek added: "Laboratory experiments have suggested that certain cannabis derivatives may be neuroprotective."

Dr Doug Brown, the MS Society's head of biomedical research, said: "While this study sadly suggests THC is ineffective at slowing the course of progressive MS, we will not stop our search for effective treatments.

"We are encouraged by the possibility shown by this study that THC may have potential benefits for some people with MS and we welcome further investigation in this area."

The study was funded by the Medical Research Council and managed by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) on behalf of the MRC-NIHR partnership, the Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Multiple Sclerosis Trust.

Cupid enrolled nearly 500 people with MS from 27 centres around the UK, and the study has taken eight years to complete.

http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk 09/06/2012