What effect does discontinuation of cannabis have on cognition in patients with MS?
Prior research has suggested that cannabis can affect cognitive function in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Investigators recruited 40 patients with MS who used cannabis (via smoking, vaping, or ingestion) starting after their MS diagnosis and had global cognitive impairment and randomized them to cannabis withdrawal (CW) or cannabis continuation (CC). Cognitive testing and brain functional MRI (fMRI) were performed at baseline and 28 days.
Participants used the drug an average of at least four times per week. At baseline, performance on the Brief Repeatable Neuropsychological Battery was similar between the two groups. On retesting, the CW group improved in all cognitive domains, whereas the CC group did not change. FMRI demonstrated…
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresConsultant/Advisory BoardAlexion Pharmaceuticals; Amgen; Astoria; Biogen; Bristol Myers Squibb; Celltrion; Genentech; Hoffmann-La Roche; Genzyme; EMD Serono; Immpact-Bio; Immunic Therapeutics; Kyverna; Lundbeck; Novartis; Sandoz; TG Therapeutics
Grant/Research SupportNational Institutes of Health; National Multiple Sclerosis Society; U.S. Department of Defense
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesConsortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (Treasurer)
DisclosuresConsultant/Advisory BoardAlexion Pharmaceuticals; Amgen; Astoria; Biogen; Bristol Myers Squibb; Celltrion; Genentech; Hoffmann-La Roche; Genzyme; EMD Serono; Immpact-Bio; Immunic Therapeutics; Kyverna; Lundbeck; Novartis; Sandoz; TG Therapeutics
Grant/Research SupportNational Institutes of Health; National Multiple Sclerosis Society; U.S. Department of Defense
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesConsortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (Treasurer)