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April 09, 2019; 92 (15 Supplement) May 6, 2019

Medical Cannabis in the Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease (P2.8-016)

Bennett Myers, Tanya Geist, Paul Hart, Traci Aladeen, Alexandra Begley, Erica S. Westphal, Stefania Floarea, Michelle Rainka, Laszlo Mechtler
First published April 16, 2019,
Bennett Myers
1Dent Neurologic Institute Amherst NY United States
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Tanya Geist
1Dent Neurologic Institute Amherst NY United States
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Paul Hart
1Dent Neurologic Institute Amherst NY United States
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Traci Aladeen
1Dent Neurologic Institute Amherst NY United States
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Alexandra Begley
1Dent Neurologic Institute Amherst NY United States
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Erica S. Westphal
1Dent Neurologic Institute Amherst NY United States
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Stefania Floarea
2Dent Neurlogic Institute Amherst NY United States
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Michelle Rainka
1Dent Neurologic Institute Amherst NY United States
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Laszlo Mechtler
1Dent Neurologic Institute Amherst NY United States
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Citation
Medical Cannabis in the Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease (P2.8-016)
Bennett Myers, Tanya Geist, Paul Hart, Traci Aladeen, Alexandra Begley, Erica S. Westphal, Stefania Floarea, Michelle Rainka, Laszlo Mechtler
Neurology Apr 2019, 92 (15 Supplement) P2.8-016;

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Abstract

Objective: The study aims to evaluate medical cannabis’ (MC) efficacy and adverse effects (AE) in treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD) symptoms.

Background: Thirty U.S. states have legislation allowing prescription of medical cannabis (MC). Previous research suggests possible benefits of cannabinoids in treating PD symptoms including tremor, rigidity and dyskinesia; however more research is needed.

Design/Methods: A retrospective analysis including patients diagnosed with idiopathic PD and treated with MC through the NYS Medical Marijuana Program was conducted.

Results: Sixty-two (43=Male, 20=Female) patients aged 71±10 years were included. Primary indication for MC treatment included PD (71%), chronic pain (25%), cancer (2%), and neuropathy (2%). Seventy-seven percent (N=48) reported improvement in PD motor symptoms, most commonly in tremor and spasticity; improvements in rigidity, gait instability, dyskinesia and bradykinesia were also noted. Of patients reporting chronic pain, 85% reported decreased pain with MC therapy. Twenty-five patients were taking an opioid at MC therapy initiation, and a significant proportion (48%, p=0.002) either discontinued or reduced the opioid during treatment. Over half of patients also reported improvement in non-motor PD symptoms, including sleep disturbance, anxiety, depressed mood, and nausea. Forty-four percent of patients reported AE, most commonly somnolence (N=15), followed by disorientation (N=8) and dizziness (N=4). AE were transient or resolved with dose adjustment in 41% of these patients. MC was tolerated well in this population, with only 4 patients (6.4%) discontinuing due to AE.

Conclusions: The study finds that, typically in combination with other PD therapies, MC is a well-tolerated option to improve both motor and non-motor symptoms in PD patients, and may be helpful in relieving some AE of PD medications such as nausea or insomnia. Commonly observed side effects of MC included somnolence and dizziness. Future randomized placebo-controlled trials are necessary to verify efficacy, AE profiles, dosage information, and long-term effects of MC on PD.

Disclosure: Dr. Myers has nothing to disclose. Dr. Geist has nothing to disclose. Dr. Hart has received research support from Dent Family Foundation . Dr. Aladeen has received research support from Alexa, Acadia, ASHP, Dent Family Foundation. Dr. Begley has nothing to disclose. Dr. Westphal has received research support from ASHP, Acadia, and Dent Family Foundation. Dr. Floarea has nothing to disclose. Dr. Rainka has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with Postgraduate Healthcare Education, LLC, and Biogen. Dr. Rainka has received research support from Alexa, Acadia, ASHP, Dent Family Foundation. Dr. Mechtler has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with Teva, Promius, Allergan, Avanir, andAmgen. Dr. Mechtler has received research support from DENT Family Foundation.

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