In the journal Nature scientists said on 1 March they had for the first time scientifically demonstrated the link between cannabis and the suppression of multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms. The study with mice suffering from chronic allergic encephalomyelitis (CREAE) -- an animal model for MS -- found that cannabinoids ameliorated CREAE symptoms.

The mouse MS study "is the first to show definitive objective evidence that synthetic compounds, which stimulate the receptor that cannabis (marijuana) binds to, can alleviate spasticity and tremor in an MS-like condition. This gives a rationale of why patients may perceive benefit from taking cannabis and supports the establishment of a clinical trial to assess the benefit of medical cannabis in MS," Lorna Layward, head of research of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, said.

In the study, led by David Baker of University College in London, the researchers injected THC, other cannabinoid receptor agonists and antagonists into mice with CREAE. Layward said it was now up to drug companies to develop compounds that mimicked cannabis but avoided the side-effects experienced by cannabis smokers. The scientists cautioned the research is in the preliminary stages; whether similar results can be obtained in large-scale human studies is unknown.

(Source: Cannabinoids control spasticity and tremor in a multiple sclerosis model
 Nature 404, 84 - 87 (2000) )