Oromucosal Cannabinoids for Spasticity in Motor Neuron Disease

Spasticity is a commonly experienced, potentially treatable symptom affecting quality of life of patients with motor neuron disease. Few controlled studies examine the efficacy of commonly prescribed antispasticity agents. Recently, nabiximols, an oromucosal spray containing two of the most common cannabinoids, was shown to decrease spasticity in patients with multiple sclerosis. In CANALS, a phase 2, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 59 patients with amyotrophic or primary lateral sclerosis were enrolled at four Italian centers to examine the effect of nabiximols on spasticity in motor neuron disease.

After 6 weeks, nabiximols was associated with a mean decrease of 0.11 in spasticity scores on a simple measure, the Modifie…