Cannabinoids in Multiple Sclerosis Trial
What is CAMS?
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the nervous system which affects as many as one person out of 800 in the population, especially young adults. When MS has been active for some years it can cause muscle stiffness and spasms, pain, fatigue, difficulty passing urine and tremor. There is as yet no cure for the disease, but there are an increasing number of treatments to help relieve some of these distressing symptoms.
Cannabis has been used medicinally for over 2000 years and was available for medical use in the UK until 1971 when it was reclassified as a "schedule one drug", meaning that it is regarded as having no medical value. Medical uses in the past used to include relief of pain, cramps, nausea, and fits.
Recently many sufferers from multiple sclerosis have reported that using cannabis (illegally) has helped their symptoms, especially those of muscle spasms. In 1998 the House of Lords looked at the issue of medicinal use of cannabis and recommended further studies.
Derriford Hospital, Plymouth
Derriford Hospital, PlymouthThe Cannabis in Multiple Sclerosis trial is being coordinated from Plymouth, UK and will look specifically at the question of whether cannabis, as either whole plant extract or one of its active components, can help the muscle stiffness and spasms that affect multiple sclerosis sufferers. Many hospitals around the country are taking part and 660 patients will be recruited over the next two years.
If everything goes according to plan, we hope to publish the results from this trial in mid 2003.
This is the largest trial of cannabis treatment in Multiple Sclerosis. It is funded by the Medical Research Council with no commercial backing or interest other than the provision of the medication by Solvay Pharmaceuticals and the Institute for Clinical Research, Berlin.