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.
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.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
30
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.
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.
University of Calgary Foothills Medical Center
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
RECRUITINGUniversity of Calgary
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
RECRUITINGCognitive 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.
Time frame: 15 weeks
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.
Time frame: 15 weeks
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.
Time frame: 15 weeks
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