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1. Cannabinoids reduce levodopa-induced dyskinesia in Parkinson's disease: A pilot study KA Sieredzan, SH Fox, M Hill, JPR Dick, AR Crossman, JM Brotchie Neurology 2001;57:2108-2111 The cannabinoid agonist nabilone can reduce dyskinesias, according to this double-blind study. Seven PD patients with dyskinesias 25-50% of the day received either 0.03 mg/kg nabilone or placebo followed by levodopa; two weeks later they received the other treatment. Compared to placebo, nabilone reduced median dyskinesias from 3 (marked) to 2 (moderate) on the Rush Dyskinesia Disability Scale, without any increase in parkinsonian disability. The authors also showed that nabilone inhibited GABA uptake in the rat lateral globus pallidus, an effect which could be reversed with a cannabinoid antagonist. They note these results apparently contradict their earlier findings that cannabinoid antagonists have antidyskinetic effects, but suggest that antagonists may exert their antidyskinetic effect in a separate area of the globus pallidus. 2. Increased cannabinoid CB1 receptor binding and activation of GTP-binding proteins in the basal ganglia of patients with Parkinson's syndrome and of MPTP-treated marmosets I Lastres-Becker, M Cebeira, ML de Ceballos, BY Zeng, P Jenner, JA Ramos, JJ Fernández-Ruiz Eur J Neuroscience 2001;14:1827-1832 Striatal cannabinoid receptors are sensitized in PD patients and MPTP-treated primates, according to this study. CB-1 binding and activation were measured post-mortem in the basal ganglia of PD patients, controls, and MPTP-treated marmosets with and without levodopa treatment. Compared to controls, PD patients had markedly higher receptor binding and activation (from 60% to over 600% increase, depending on the region). MPTP-treated marmosets had higher binding and activation than controls, although levodopa treatment reduced levels toward normal. The authors conclude their observations suggest "these receptors are under an inhibitory influence of dopaminergic neurons. The present data also suggest that CB-1 receptor antagonists might be useful in the treatment of the akinesia in this neurological illness." 3. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to assess the potential of cannabinoid receptor stimulation in the treatment of dystonia SH Fox, M Kellett, AP Moore, AR Crossman, JM Brotchie Movement Disorders 2002;1:145-149 Nabilone is not effective in reducing dystonia, according to this study. Fifteen patients with regional or generalized dystonia received a single dose of placebo or nabilone, followed by the other treatment within two weeks. Two patients withdrew due to postural hypotension or sedation. No difference between the treatments was seen in mean total dystonic movements as assessed by the Burke-Fahn-Marsden scale. ========================================================================== Copyright 2002 WE MOVE Editor: Richard Robinson ([log in to unmask]) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn