Clin Psychopharmacol Neurosci.  2017 Nov;15(4):301-312. 10.9758/cpn.2017.15.4.301.

A Systematic Review of the Effectiveness of Medical Cannabis for Psychiatric, Movement and Neurodegenerative Disorders

• Lim K
• See YM
• Lee J

• KMID: 2396300
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.9758/cpn.2017.15.4.301

Abstract

The discovery of endocannabinoid's role within the central nervous system and its potential therapeutic benefits have brought forth rising interest in the use of cannabis for medical purposes. The present review aimed to synthesize and evaluate the available evidences on the efficacy of cannabis and its derivatives for psychiatric, neurodegenerative and movement disorders. A systematic search of randomized controlled trials of cannabis and its derivatives were conducted via databases (PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials). A total of 24 reports that evaluated the use of medical cannabis for Alzheimer's disease, anorexia nervosa, anxiety, dementia, dystonia, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), psychosis and Tourette syndrome were included in this review. Trial quality was assessed with the Cochrane risk of bias tool. There is a lack of evidence on the therapeutic effects of cannabinoids for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and dystonia. Although trials with positive findings were identified for anorexia nervosa, anxiety, PTSD, psychotic symptoms, agitation in Alzheimer's disease and dementia, Huntington's disease, and Tourette syndrome, and dyskinesia in Parkinson's disease, definitive conclusion on its efficacy could not be drawn. Evaluation of these low-quality trials, as rated on the Cochrane risk of bias tools, was challenged by methodological issues such as inadequate description of allocation concealment, blinding and underpowered sample size. More adequately powered controlled trials that examine the long and short term efficacy, safety and tolerability of cannabis for medical use, and the mechanisms underpinning the therapeutic potential are warranted.

Keyword

Cannabis; Cannabinoids; Randomized controlled trial; Mental disorders; Movement disorders; Neurodegenerative diseases

MeSH Terms

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Anorexia Nervosa
Anxiety
Bias (Epidemiology)
Cannabinoids
Cannabis
Central Nervous System
Dementia
Dihydroergotamine
Dyskinesias
Dystonia
Medical Marijuana*
Mental Disorders
Movement Disorders
Neurodegenerative Diseases*
Psychotic Disorders
Sample Size
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
Therapeutic Uses
Tourette Syndrome
Cannabinoids
Dihydroergotamine
Therapeutic Uses