Nabilone for Nonmotor Parkinson Symptoms?

A synthetic tetrahydrocannabinol analogue showed evidence of efficacy in a pilot study as a treatment for anxiety and sleep issues in Parkinson disease.

To assess the efficacy and safety of nabilone, a synthetic tetrahydrocannabinol analogue, as a potential treatment for some nonmotor symptoms (NMS) occurring in Parkinson disease (PD), investigators conducted a placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group, enriched-enrollment randomized trial. The 47 participants had PD with an NMS scale score of ≥4 points on the Movement Disorder Society Unified PD Rating Scale-I. The study began with open-label titration of nabilone (0.25 mg once daily to 1 mg twice daily). The responders from the titration phase were then randomized 1:1 to nabilone or placebo. The change in MDS-UPDRS-I was compared at baseline prerandomization to 1-month posttreatment. The 38 patients who proceeded to a second phase …

Reviewing Author

Michael S. Okun, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardParkinson’s Foundation; Tourette Association of America

Speaker’s BureauMedscape/WebMD CME, Movement Disorders Society CME, American Academy of Neurology CME

RoyaltiesBooks4Patients; Demos; Cambridge; Taylor and Francis; Robert Rose; Public Affairs

Grant/Research SupportNational Institutes of Health; Parkinson’s Foundation; Tourette Association of America; University of Florida Foundation

Editorial BoardsTremor and Other Hyperkinetic Movements; JAMA Neurology

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesParkinson’s Foundation (Medical Advisor)