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MS sufferers in cannabis trials

Sarah Boseley

Press Association

Monday 13 Dec 1999


The first clinical trials into the medical benefits of cannabis on
people suffering from multiple sclerosis are to be carried out by the
Medical Research Council.

It has approved a £950,000 grant for a three-year study into the
therapeutic effects of extracts from the drug on MS sufferers.

People suffering from the disease have claimed it can ease their
symptoms. But several patients have been prosecuted in recent years
after using the drug to alleviate their pain.

The research will be carried out by Dr John Zajicek, a Consultant
Neurologist at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth.

Dr Zajicek will recruit 660 patients with MS from across the country
who have significant spasticity in some of their leg muscles.

Each patient will be randomly given one of three treatments in capsule
form: extract of cannabis, tetrahydrocannabinol (a constituent of
cannabis) or a placebo (containing only a vegetable oil). Neither the
patients nor their doctors will know which treatment is being taken
until after the study.

Dr Zajicek said: "We hope the study will provide definite scientific
evidence about whether or not taking cannabis is helpful to people
with MS."

 

 

 

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