Title:Neurological Aspects of Medical Use of Cannabidiol
Volume: 16
Issue: 5
Author(s): Carmen Mannucci, Michele Navarra, Fabrizio Calapai, Elvira V. Spagnolo, Francesco P. Busardò, Roberto D. Cas, Francesca M. Ippolito and Gioacchino Calapai*
Affiliation:
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Messina, Italy. Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98125 Messina,Italy
Keywords:
Cannabidiol, neurodegenerative diseases, neurological, neurology, neuroprotection.
Abstract: Background: Cannabidiol (CBD) is among the major secondary metabolites of Cannabis
devoid of the delta-9-tetra-hydrocannabinol psychoactive effects. It is a resorcinol-based compound
with a broad spectrum of potential therapeutic properties, including neuroprotective effects in numerous
pathological conditions. CBD neuroprotection is due to its antioxidant and antiinflammatory activities
and the modulation of a large number of brain biological targets (receptors, channels) involved
in the development and maintenance of neurodegenerative diseases.
Objective: The aim of the present review was to describe the state of art about the pre-clinical research,
the potential use and, when existing, the clinical evidence related to CBD in the neurological field.
Method: Collection of all the pre-clinical and clinical findings carried out investigating the effects of
CBD alone, not in combination with other substances, in the neurological arena with the exclusion of
studies on neuropsychiatric disorders.
Results: Laboratory and clinical studies on the potential role of CBD in Parkinson’s disease (PD),
Alzheimer’s disease (AD), multiple sclerosis (MS), Huntington’s disease (HD), amyotrophic lateral
sclerosis ALS), cerebral ischemia, were examined.
Conclusion: Pre-clinical evidence largely shows that CBD can produce beneficial effects in AD, PD
and MS patients, but its employment for these disorders needs further confirmation from well designed
clinical studies. CBD pre-clinical demonstration of antiepileptic activity is supported by recent
clinical studies in human epileptic subjects resistant to standard antiepileptic drugs showing its potential
use in children and young adults affected by refractory epilepsy. Evidence for use of CBD in PD is
still not supported by sufficient data whereas only a few studies including a small number of patients
are available.
