Cannabinoids control spasticity and tremor in a multiple sclerosis model

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Immunology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Chronic relapsing experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (CREAE) is a model for multiple sclerosis (MS).
• MS patients report benefits from cannabis for tremor and spasticity, but evidence is largely anecdotal.
• Tremor and spasticity are challenging symptoms in both CREAE and MS.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the therapeutic potential of cannabinoid receptor agonism for tremor and spasticity in CREAE mice.
• To explore the role of the endogenous cannabinoid system in controlling these symptoms.

Main Methods:

• Administered cannabinoid receptor agonists (R(+)-WIN 55,212, delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol, methanandamide, JWH-133) to CREAE mice.
• Utilized cannabinoid receptor antagonists (SR141716A, SR144528) to block CB1 and CB2 receptors.
• Quantitatively assessed the amelioration of tremor and spasticity.

Main Results:

• Cannabinoid receptor agonism significantly reduced tremor and spasticity in diseased mice.
• Antagonism of CB1 and CB2 receptors, particularly CB1, exacerbated these symptoms.
• These findings indicate tonic activity of the endogenous cannabinoid system in controlling tremor and spasticity.

Conclusions:

• Cannabinoid receptor activation offers a potential therapeutic strategy for managing tremor and spasticity in MS.
• The endogenous cannabinoid system is actively involved in regulating these neurological symptoms.
• This study provides a basis for evaluating selective cannabinoids for MS symptom management.