Hannover, Germany: Tourette-Syndrome (TS) patients administered a single oral dose of THC experience a significant reduction in symptoms compared to placebo, according to the findings of a study in this month’s issue of Pharmacopsychiatry.
“The effects were clear,” lead researcher Kirsten Mueller-Vahl of the Medical School of Hannover told Reuters Health. “What was also interesting was that some patients experienced far greater effects than others, … but generally the level of tic activity was reduced as were the compulsions, such as [the urge] to shout, spit or swear.” Twelve patients participated in the study. None of the volunteers reported any serious adverse reactions to THC, which is one of the primary compounds in marijuana.
Tourette-Syndrome is a complex neurological disorder characterized by sudden spasms – so-called “tics” – that occur especially in the facial muscles, neck, shoulders and extremities. A previous study of 12 volunteers by Meuller-Vahl’s team found that THC significantly reduced tics and obsessive-compulsive behavior in TS patients. A follow-up, placebo-controlled crossover study of 24 patients yielded similar results.
“There is anecdotal evidence to suggest that the consumption of marijuana clearly and continuously benefits Tourette patients,” Mueller-Vahl said. “There is also a strong suggestion that the plant cannabis is more effective than synthetic THC, and that patients taking [a combination of the two] experience fewer unpleasant side effects.”
For more information, please contact Paul Armentano of The NORML Foundation at (202) 483-8751.