Biological bases for a possible effect of cannabidiol in Parkinson’s disease

Autor(es)

Nilson C. Ferreira-Junior ; Alline C. Campos ^[2] ; Francisco S. Guimarães ^[3] ; Elaine Del-Bel ^[4] ; Patrícia M. da R. Zimmermann ^[5] ; Liberato Brum Junior ^[6] ; Jaime E. Hallak ^[7] ; José A. Crippa ^[8] ; Antonio W. Zuardi ^[9]

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria; v. 42, n. 2, p. 218-224, 2019-07-15.

Resumo

Current pharmacotherapy of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is palliative and unable to modify the progression of neurodegeneration. Treatments that can improve patients’ quality of life with fewer side effects are needed, but not yet available. Cannabidiol (CBD), the major non-psychotomimetic constituent of cannabis, has received considerable research attention in the last decade. In this context, we aimed to critically review the literature on potential therapeutic effects of CBD in PD and discuss clinical and preclinical evidence supporting the putative neuroprotective mechanisms of CBD. We searched MEDLINE (via PubMed) for indexed articles published in English from inception to 2019. The following keywords were used: cannabis; cannabidiol and neuroprotection; endocannabinoids and basal ganglia; Parkinson’s animal models; Parkinson’s history; Parkinson’s and cannabidiol. Few studies addressed the biological bases for the purported effects of CBD on PD. Six preclinical studies showed neuroprotective effects, while three targeted the antidyskinetic effects of CBD. Three human studies have tested CBD in patients with PD: an open-label study, a case series, and a randomized controlled trial. These studies reported therapeutic effects of CBD on non-motor symptoms. Additional research is needed to elucidate the potential effectiveness of CBD in PD and the underlying mechanisms involved. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 15/05551-0 - Estudo do papel do sistema endocanabinóide nos efeitos comportamentais e plásticos dos fármacos antidepressivos
• Beneficiário: Alline Cristina de Campos
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Jovens Pesquisadores