Cannabis (THC vs. CBD) in Multiple Sclerosis

University of Calgary

Status and phase: Not yet enrolling; Phase 2

Conditions: Multiple Sclerosis

Treatments: Drug: CBD; Drug: THC

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06261489

REB23-1128

Details and patient eligibility

About

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.

Full 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.

Enrollment: 30 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 59 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

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

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Quadruple Blind

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30 participants in 2 patient groups

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) 25 mg

Experimental group

Description:

THC oil will be administered orally once a day for 15 weeks.

Treatment:

Drug: THC

Cannabidiol (CBD) 50 mg

Experimental group

Description:

CBD oil will be administered orally once a day for 15 weeks.

Treatment:

Drug: CBD