Article
Clinical Neurology
Lucio Marinelli, Luca Puce, Laura Mori, Massimo Leandri, Gian Marco Rosa, Antonio Curra, Francesco Fattapposta, Carlo Trompetto
Summary: This study suggests that the use of nabiximols is likely safe in stroke patients, but no significant improvement in spasticity was observed. This may be due to the low pain levels in the recruited patients or different spasticity mechanisms between post-stroke and multiple sclerosis patients.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Ehsan Motaghi, Masoumeh Ghasemi-Pirbaluti, Mohsen Rashidi, Masoud Alasvand, Patricia Di Ciano, Hooman Bozorgi
Summary: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of THC:CBD oromucosal spray on cognition compared with control conditions in human studies. The results showed that although the results across studies were somewhat inconsistent, most evidence revealed that there is no significant difference between THC:CBD oromucosal spray and control treatments in terms of cognitive outcomes. However, more trials are needed with longer follow-up periods and dose considerations.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Jacqueline Nicholas, Fred Lublin, Sylvia Klineova, Joris Berwaerts, Robert Chinnapongse, Daniel Checketts, Sajida Javaid, Joshua R. Steinerman
Summary: Two clinical trials have shown that nabiximols is an effective medication for treating spasticity in multiple sclerosis. During the treatment period, nabiximols significantly improves spasticity symptoms in patients, and this improvement is sustained over 12 weeks.
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AND RELATED DISORDERS
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Clara Grazia Chisari, Joe Guadagno, Peyman Adjamian, Carlos Vila Silvan, Teresa Greco, Makarand Bagul, Francesco Patti
Summary: A significant proportion of patients with multiple sclerosis-associated spasticity experienced a meaningful reduction in spasticity severity after 12 weeks of treatment with nabiximols.
THERAPEUTIC ADVANCES IN NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Bianca Hanganu, Diana Elena Lazar, Irina Smaranda Manoilescu, Veronica Mocanu, Doina Butcovan, Camelia Liana Buhas, Andreea Silvana Szalontay, Beatrice Gabriela Ioan
Summary: In the field of oncology, preclinical research has shown that cannabis and cannabinoids have the potential to modulate signaling pathways involved in cancer progression. As medical cannabis becomes legal in more countries, there is increasing interest in its potential benefits for cancer patients. However, clinical trials with cancer patients are lacking. Further studies are needed to determine the efficacy of cannabis in cancer treatment.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
D. Scuteri, F. Guida, S. Boccella, L. Luongo, S. Maione, P. Tonin, P. Nicotera, G. Bagetta, M. T. Corasaniti
Summary: This study aims to investigate the efficacy and safety of oral spray nabiximols for pain and agitation treatment in severe dementia patients. The results may provide a safer and more effective treatment option for the pain and agitation in severe dementia patients.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2022)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Antonella Conte, Carlos Vila Silvan
Summary: This study found that NAB oromucosal spray can significantly reduce moderate to severe MS spasticity in the early stages of treatment and maintain it in the mid- to long-term. Initial responder rates ranged from 47.6% to 81.4% at 4 weeks, and approximately half of patients continued treatment for 18 months in longer term studies.
NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Chris Twelves, Michael Sabel, Daniel Checketts, Sharon Miller, Bola Tayo, Maria Jove, Lucy Brazil, Susan C. Short
Summary: The study found that with personalized dosing, nabiximols demonstrated acceptable safety and tolerability with no drug-drug interactions identified. The observed survival differences support further exploration in a well-powered randomized controlled trial.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF CANCER
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Lucy H. Silmore, Andrew R. Willmer, Edmund V. Capparelli, Gus R. Rosania
Summary: CBD is increasingly being sought after as a treatment for various ailments, but its bioavailability and pharmacokinetics are not well understood, and proper dosing schemes have not been adequately developed for clinical use. Research has shown that CBD has higher bioavailability when taken with food, and the administration of Epidiolex in the fed state leads to lower interindividual variability in pharmacokinetics. The main excipient in oral CBD formulations, refined sesame seed oil, is a major contributor to the dose-dependent variations in CBD pharmacokinetics.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Tory R. Spindle, Dennis J. Sholler, Edward J. Cone, Timothy P. Murphy, Mahmoud ElSohly, Ruth E. Winecker, Ronald R. Flegel, Marcel O. Bonn-Miller, Ryan Vandrey
Summary: This study evaluated the accuracy of CBD and THC labeling in topical cannabinoid products and found that they are often inaccurately labeled and many contain THC. These findings suggest the need for clinical studies to determine whether topical cannabinoid products with THC can produce psychoactive effects or positive drug tests for cannabis.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Roberto Chiocchetti, Giulia Salamanca, Margherita De Silva, Francesca Gobbo, Francesca Aspidi, Rodrigo Zamith Cunha, Giorgia Galiazzo, Claudio Tagliavia, Giuseppe Sarli, Maria Morini
Summary: The study demonstrated the wide expression of Cannabinoid receptor 2, GPR55, TRPV1, and TRPA1 in the inflammatory infiltrate of dogs with AD. The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) could be considered a potential therapeutic target for treating AD in dogs, as it may help alleviate itch and inflammation.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Bronwyn Bebee, David M. Taylor, Elyssia Bourke, Kimberley Pollack, Lian Foster, Michael Ching, Anselm Wong
Summary: In the emergency department, single-dose oral CBD is not superior to placebo in relieving acute non-traumatic low back pain. Pain scores, length of stay, use of rescue analgesia, and reported side effects were similar between the two groups.
MEDICAL JOURNAL OF AUSTRALIA
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Christian Ieritano, Patrick Thomas, W. Scott Hopkins
Summary: With the increasing global legalization of cannabis, there is a need for accurate quantification of cannabinoids in commercial products. However, the isobaric nature of many cannabinoids, variations in extraction methods and product formulations pose challenges for mass spectrometry (MS) quantitation. In this study, the use of differential mobility spectrometry (DMS) and tandem-MS was demonstrated to distinguish a set of seven cannabinoids, including five isobaric ones. The addition of DMS to the tandem-MS workflow enabled the resolution of each cannabinoid and accurate quantitation of cannabinoid levels in cannabis extracts.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jara Bouma, Jeremy D. Broekhuis, Cas van der Horst, Poulami Kumar, Alessia Ligresti, Mario van der Stelt, Laura H. Heitman
Summary: The cannabinoid CB2 receptor (CB2R) is involved in various physiological and pathological processes, making it a potential target for therapeutic interventions. A study has shown that a compound called CBD-DMH, derived from Cannabis sativa, binds to CB2R in a dual mode, displaying anti-inflammatory effects and activation. This discovery opens up new possibilities for drug development targeting CB2R.
BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Behavioral Sciences
Andrea J. Narayan, Luke A. Downey, Brooke Manning, Amie C. Hayley
Summary: Research has found that Cannabidiol (CBD) has anxiolytic effects in healthy and certain clinical populations, but minimal impact on sleep. The dosage and ratio of CBD to THC in combination treatments may moderate these effects. The primary mechanism of action for CBD appears to be modulation of the endocannabinoid system and secondary regulation of neuroendocrine function.
NEUROSCIENCE AND BIOBEHAVIORAL REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Nicholas Lintzeris, Adrian J. Dunlop, Paul S. Haber, Dan I. Lubman, Robert Graham, Sarah Hutchinson, Shalini Arunogiri, Victoria Hayes, Peter Hjelmstrom, Agneta Svedberg, Stefan Peterson, Fredrik Tiberg
Summary: This study compared patient satisfaction between depot buprenorphine and sublingual buprenorphine in adult outpatients with opioid dependence and found that participants receiving depot buprenorphine reported improved treatment satisfaction.
Article
Substance Abuse
Adrian J. Dunlop, Bethany White, Jillian Roberts, Michelle Cretikos, Dena Attalla, Rod Ling, Andrew Searles, Judith Mackson, Michael F. Doyle, Elizabeth McEntyre, John Attia, Christopher Oldmeadow, Mark V. Howard, Terry Murrell, Paul Steven Haber, Nicholas Lintzeris
Summary: This study in custodial settings in New South Wales, Australia, showed that subcutaneous slow-release depot buprenorphine treatment had high retention rates and significantly decreased non-prescribed opioid use among patients, without increased risk of diversion.
Review
Substance Abuse
Melissa A. Jackson, Amanda L. Baker, Gillian S. Gould, Amanda L. Brown, Adrian J. Dunlop, Kristen McCarter
Summary: This study reviewed smoking cessation interventions for pregnant women with alcohol and other drug concerns who also smoke tobacco. Findings suggest that the efficacy of these interventions is hindered by the scarcity of data and poor methodological quality of studies included.
Editorial Material
Medicine, General & Internal
Adrian J. Dunlop, Buddhima Lokuge, Nicholas Lintzeris
MEDICAL JOURNAL OF AUSTRALIA
(2021)
Article
Substance Abuse
A. Conway, H. Valerio, A. Peacock, L. Degenhardt, J. Hayllar, Me Harrod, C. Henderson, P. Read, R. Gilliver, M. Christmass, A. Dunlop, M. Montebello, G. Whitton, D. Reid, T. Lam, M. Alavi, D. Silk, Ad Marshall, C. Treloar, Gj Dore, J. Grebely
Summary: The study found that benzodiazepine and hazardous alcohol use are associated with non-fatal opioid overdose among people recently using opioids or receiving OAT, and not all factors related to overdose correspond to factors associated with naloxone access. Naloxone access and training are low in all groups, calling for additional interventions to scale up naloxone provision.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY
(2021)
Article
Substance Abuse
Tracey W. Tsang, Melanie Kingsland, Emma Doherty, Amy E. Anderson, Belinda Tully, Kristy Crooks, Ian Symonds, Danika Tremain, Adrian J. Dunlop, John Wiggers, Elizabeth J. Elliott
Summary: Most women stop alcohol consumption after pregnancy recognition, with predictors of ongoing drinking during pregnancy including age, pre-pregnancy drinking behavior, and agreement with alcohol guideline recommendations. Interventions to promote behavior change regarding alcohol consumption during pregnancy are warranted to ensure the intended benefit of guidelines.
DRUG AND ALCOHOL REVIEW
(2022)
Article
Substance Abuse
Kristie Mammen, Llewellyn Mills, Rachel M. Deacon, Raimondo Bruno, Adrian Dunlop, Jennifer Holmes, Jennifer Luksza, Anthony Shakeshaft, Michael Farrell, Nicholas Lintzeris
Summary: After studying 144 opioid problem clients and 134 alcohol abusers, it was found that a cutoff score of 5 or less out of 10 is the optimal pragmatic cutoff for ATOP items related to psychological health, physical health, and quality of life, balancing sensitivity, specificity, and application in a treatment setting.
DRUG AND ALCOHOL REVIEW
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Thomas R. Arkell, Richard C. Kevin, Frederick Vinckenbosch, Nicholas Lintzeris, Eef Theunissen, Johannes G. Ramaekers, Iain S. McGregor
Summary: The study found that males performed better on a divided attention task and had higher peak plasma concentrations of 11-COOH-THC compared to females, but there were no significant differences between sexes in subjective drug effects and cardiovascular measures regarding cannabis effects.
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Alistair Lum, Eliza Skelton, Maryanne Robinson, Ashleigh Guillaumier, Olivia Wynne, Coral Gartner, Ron Borland, Amanda Baker, Adrian Dunlop, Ross B. Wilkinson, Billie Bonevski
Summary: The study found that while VNPs can meet the nicotine cravings and behavioral habits of people in AOD treatment, there are still some barriers in practical use, such as device maintenance and regulatory restrictions. Additionally, some participants stated that using VNPs alone was not sufficient to help them reduce or quit smoking and cannabis simultaneously.
ADDICTIVE BEHAVIORS
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Zoe Szewczyk, Penny Reeves, Melanie Kingsland, Emma Doherty, Elizabeth Elliott, Luke Wolfenden, Tracey W. Tsang, Adrian Dunlop, Andrew Searles, John Wiggers
Summary: The study aimed to determine the cost-effectiveness of developing and delivering a multi-strategy practice change intervention for addressing maternal alcohol consumption in three sectors of a health district in New South Wales, Australia. The trial-based economic analyses showed that the intervention was more effective than usual care, but at an increased cost. Further research is needed to assess the sustainability of intervention effectiveness and the potential for reduced costs without impacting outcomes.
IMPLEMENTATION SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Critical Care Medicine
Isobel Lavender, Iain S. McGregor, Anastasia Suraev, Ronald R. Grunstein, Camilla M. Hoyos
Summary: Sleep disturbances have been cited as a common reason for using medicinal cannabis, and there is increasing clinical interest in its potential in treating sleep disorders. However, the current evidence is limited by small sample sizes, lack of controlled study designs, and high risk of bias. This review summarizes the current evidence and discusses practical considerations for clinicians regarding the use of cannabinoids for sleep disorders.
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Jonathon C. Arnold, Danielle McCartney, Anastasia Suraev, Iain S. McGregor
Summary: Global interest in CBD is increasing, with clinical trial evidence supporting high doses for treating childhood epilepsies. However, the therapeutic benefits of low-dose CBD products are still being debated. This review evaluated the efficacy and safety of low oral doses of CBD and found that doses of 300 mg or higher showed evidence of reducing anxiety and anti-addiction effects, but the effects on insomnia, neurological disorders, and chronic pain were limited and inconsistent.
CTS-CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Zeeta Bawa, Bandana Saini, Danielle McCartney, Miguel Bedoya-Perez, Andrew J. McLachlan, Iain S. McGregor
Summary: This study examined Australian pharmacists' experience, knowledge, and attitudes towards medicinal cannabis and low-dose cannabidiol products supplied without a prescription. The results showed that pharmacists supported improved access to cannabis products but highlighted the need for better training and education in this area.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PHARMACY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Melissa A. Jackson, Amanda L. Brown, Jennifer Johnston, Richard Clancy, Iain McGregor, Raimondo Bruno, Nick Lintzeris, Mark Montebello, Jennifer Luksza, Jenny Bowman, Nghi Phung, Dave Allsop, Adrian J. Dunlop
Summary: Despite decreasing overall consumption, synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs) continue to be used by marginalized groups, especially those who use other substances. In an Australian study of cannabis treatment clients, it was found that SCRA use was relatively common but not preferred. SCRA users exhibited hazardous substance use and poor mental health, emphasizing the importance of ongoing monitoring by researchers and treatment providers.
JOURNAL OF CANNABIS RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Substance Abuse
Eliza Skelton, Ashleigh Guillaumier, Flora Tzelepis, Scott Walsberger, Christine L. Paul, Adrian J. Dunlop, Kerrin Palazzi, Billie Bonevski
Summary: Both AOD health-care providers and clients are aware of e-cigarettes but are cautious in using and recommending their use.
DRUG AND ALCOHOL REVIEW
(2021)
