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Related Concept Videos

Classification of Skeletal Muscle Relaxants01:28

Classification of Skeletal Muscle Relaxants

Skeletal muscle relaxants are a group of drugs that can reduce muscle stiffness and induce temporary paralysis to relieve pain. These agents can act centrally to reduce muscle tone or spasms in painful conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or spinal injuries; they are called antispasmodics or spasmolytics.
Peripherally acting skeletal muscle relaxants interfere with the neurotransmission at the neuromuscular end plate to induce paralysis during...
Spasmolytic Agents: Chemical Classification01:29

Spasmolytic Agents: Chemical Classification

Spasmolytic agents are drugs used to alleviate muscle spasms and spasticity. They can be categorized into different chemical groups based on their mechanisms of action. Centrally acting spasmolytics primarily affect the spinal cord, while others directly target skeletal muscle cells.
A major class of centrally acting spasmolytics is the α2-agonist, such as tizanidine. These drugs bind to α2-adrenoceptors, inhibiting the release of the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate. They also promote...
Centrally Acting Muscle Relaxants: Therapeutic Uses01:24

Centrally Acting Muscle Relaxants: Therapeutic Uses

Centrally acting muscle relaxants reduce muscle tone and tension by interfering with the postsynaptic reflexes in the central nervous system.
Centrally acting drugs are classified into spasmolytic and antispasmodic drugs. Spasmolytic drugs such as baclofen, diazepam, and tizanidine inhibit spinal motor neurons and decrease muscle tone. Spasmolytic drugs are administered for severe and chronic spasms due to multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, stroke, and spinal cord and muscle injuries. However,...
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Cannabinoids01:21

Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Cannabinoids

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a phytocannabinoid that primarily interacts with the CB1 receptor, a type of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) predominantly in and around the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) and emetic center. THC also blocks the serotonin receptor activity in the dorsal vagal complex (DVC) by inhibiting serotonin release. THC exerts its anti-emetic effects through these interactions, which are beneficial for patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Two synthetic agonists of THC,...
Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction01:19

Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that affects the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. It is an inflammatory demyelinating disorder and a leading cause of neurological disability in young adults.EpidemiologyMS commonly begins between 20 and 40 years of age and is twice as common in women. Its exact cause remains unclear, but genetic susceptibility contributes, with higher risk in first-degree relatives and identical twins. A greater...
CNS Stimulants: Cocaine, Amphetamines and Cannabinoids01:24

CNS Stimulants: Cocaine, Amphetamines and Cannabinoids

CNS stimulants, such as cocaine, amphetamines, and cannabinoids, have varying structures and mechanisms of action that lead to different therapeutic effects and side effects. Cocaine, with its molecular formula C17H21NO4, is a tropane alkaloid and a tertiary amino compound. It has two chemical forms: the hydrochloride salt and the "freebase." The former is in powder form, while the latter involves removing the hydrochloride salt to create a form that can be smoked. Cocaine exerts its effects by...

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Repeated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Combined with Action Observation Training in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy
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Published on: August 9, 2024

Do cannabinoids reduce multiple sclerosis-related spasticity?

Greg M Thaera1, Kay E Wellik, Jonathan L Carter

  • 1Departments of Neurology, and daggerLibrary Services, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ 85259, USA.

The Neurologist
|November 11, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Cannabinoids do not objectively improve multiple sclerosis (MS) spasticity in clinical trials. However, patients report subjective benefits for spasticity, spasms, sleep, and pain, indicating a need for better outcome measures.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pharmacology
  • Clinical Medicine

Background:

  • Cannabis sativa contains cannabinoids with potential central nervous system effects.
  • Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients report symptom relief from smoked cannabis.
  • Cannabinoids interact with specific cannabinoid receptors in the central nervous system.

Observation:

  • A large randomized, placebo-controlled trial found no objective improvement in MS-related spasticity using the Ashworth scale.
  • Subjective patient reports indicated improvements in spasticity, spasms, sleep quality, and pain.
  • A second trial confirmed a discrepancy between subjective and objective spasticity measures.

Findings:

  • Objective measures failed to confirm cannabinoid efficacy for MS spasticity.
  • Subjective patient reports consistently showed benefits for spasticity and related symptoms.
  • No detrimental effects on depression, fatigue, irritability, or walk time were observed.

Implications:

  • Current objective outcome instruments may lack sensitivity or validity for assessing cannabinoid effects in MS.
  • Further research is needed to develop better outcome measures for MS spasticity.
  • The subjective benefits reported by patients warrant continued investigation into cannabinoid therapies for MS.