Cannabis (THC vs. CBD) in Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Trial

Official title:

The Differential Effects of THC vs. CBD on Cognition in Persons With MS

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Not yet recruiting

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT06261489
• Other study ID #: REB23-1128
• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Phase: Phase 2
• Start date: March 2024
• Est. completion date: December 2025

Study information

• Verified date: December 2023
• Source: University of Calgary
• Contact: Sarah A Morrow, MD, MS, FRCPC, FAAN
• Phone: 403-9444241
• Email: sarah.morrow[@]albertahealthservices.ca
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to examine the effect of Cannabis components, THC and CBD, on cognition and bladder symptoms in people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Participants will complete questionnaires and cognitive tests. They will be randomly assigned to receive either CBD or THC oil and will take the study drug for 15 weeks.

Description:

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. Cannabis and cannabis-based medicines (CBM) are often used by persons with MS (PwMS). Cannabis research to date indicates that its use worsens cognitive function in PwMS. Additionally, cognitive impairment (CI) is already a frequent consequence of MS, with a significant negative impact on quality of life (QOL). This is pilot randomized, double blinded, double arm clinical trial of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) 25 mg or Cannabidiol (CBD) 50 mg orally for 15 weeks in people with MS trial. The investigators will recruit PwMS with symptoms of neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD). These participants can either be on a treatment that has been only partially effective (as per patient report) or has never tried an intervention for their NLUTD symptoms. The primary aim is to evaluate the differential effect of the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) on cognitive outcomes in persons with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS) using cannabis for NLUTD. The results of our proposed study will better inform both healthcare practitioners and patients with respect to the potential risks of treatment with cannabis-based products and any difference with respect to THC vs. CBD-based products.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Enrollment: 30
• Est. completion date: December 2025
• Est. primary completion date: September 2025
• Accepts healthy volunteers: No
• Gender: All
• Age group: 18 Years to 59 Years

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age between 18 and 59 years inclusive.
• Confirmed diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis as per McDonald criteria (any type) [12]
• Symptoms of neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD) as measured by neurogenic bladder symptom score (NBSS), with a minimum score of 7.
• If already on a medication for NLUTD, must be stable on this medication for at least 4 weeks.
• Sexually active men and women of child-bearing potential must agree to use adequate contraception.
• Written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Major psychiatric disorder such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder
• Major neurological disorder which could affect cognition such as dementia, traumatic brain injury.
• Seizure disorder
• Use of antipsychotic medication
• Use of benzodiazepines other than exclusively at night/bedtime
• Experienced a MS relapse in the last ninety (90) days.
• Current use of cannabis or CBM greater than 3x/week.
• Currently using cannabis/CBM less than 3x/week and being unwilling to abstain for the duration of the study.
• Visual acuity (binocular) worse than 20/70 (in order to complete the cognitive outcomes)
• Significant upper extremity disability that would interfere with the cognitive tests battery.
• Indwelling catheter use/urinary diversion
• Pregnant or Breastfeeding

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Multiple Sclerosis
• Sclerosis

Intervention

Drug:
• THC
Participants will be randomly assigned to the study treatment. THC dose will be gradually increased until 25 mg. Treatment will be taken orally at bedtime for 15 weeks.
• CBD
Participants will be randomly assigned to the study treatment. CBD dose will be gradually increased until 50 mg. Treatment will be taken orally at bedtime for 15 weeks.

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
n/a

Sponsors (2)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
University of Calgary	Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Cognitive outcome: The Differential Effect, if any, of THC and CBD in MS Cognition will be measured by Symbol Digit Modality Test (SDMT).	Symbol Digit Modality Test (SDMT) is an assessment of the information processing speed. It consists of the presentation of a standard letter sized paper (8.5 × 11 in.) that contains the numbers and symbols to be processed. At the top of the page is a key where nine symbols are each paired with a single digit. The remainder of the page has a pseudorandomized sequence of these symbols. In the oral version of the SDMT, adapted for the MS population by Rao, the subject responds orally with the digit associated with each of the symbols as quickly as possible, and is scored as the total number of correct responses in 90s.Participants will be evaluated at baseline, week 10 and week 15.	15 weeks
Primary	NLUTD outcome: The Differential Effect, if any, of THC and CBD on Neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD) symptoms will be measured by Neurogenic Bladder Symptom Score (NBSS).	Neurogenic Bladder Symptom Score (NBSS) is a validated measure of bladder symptoms and QoL. It is scored from 0 (no symptoms) to 74 and has 3 domains: incontinence; storage, voiding, and consequences; and a single overall QOL question. Participants will be evaluated at baseline, week 10 and week 15.	15 weeks
Secondary	Blinding feasibility: The ability to blind the administration of THC vs CBD in PwMS will be evaluated based on participants and investigators report.	The investigators will ask subjects at each visit to try and identify which arm they were randomized to. If participants feel they are able to determine which group they were assigned to, they will be asked to identify how/why. This data will help investigators to develop better masking in our subsequent study.	15 weeks