Jacob Bell
New Member
Synthetic delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (dronabinol) can improve the symptoms of schizophrenia
Author(s) Schwarcz G, Karajgi B, McCarthy R
Institution Rockland Psychiatric Center, Orangeburg, NY 10962, USA. gs2272@columbia.edu
Source J Clin Psychopharmacol 2009 Jun; 29(3):255-8.
MeSH Adult
Antipsychotic Agents
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Male
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
Psychometrics
Psychotropic Drugs
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenic Psychology
Severity of Illness Index
Tetrahydrocannabinol
Treatment Outcome
Young Adult
Abstract We are reporting improvement of symptoms of schizophrenia in a small group of patients who received the cannabinoid agonist dronabinol (synthetic Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol). Before this report, cannabinoids had usually been associated with worsening of psychotic symptoms. In a heuristic, compassionate use study, we found that 4 of 6 treatment-refractory patients with severe chronic schizophrenia but who had a self-reported history of improving with marijuana abuse improved with dronabinol. This improvement seems to have been a reduction of core psychotic symptoms in 3 of the 4 responders and not just nonspecific calming. There were no clinically significant adverse effects. These results complement the recent finding that the cannabinoid blocker rimonabant does not improve schizophrenic symptoms and suggest that the role of cannabinoids in psychosis may be more complex than previously thought. They open a possible new role for cannabinoids in the treatment of schizophrenia.
Language eng
Pub Type(s) Clinical Trial
Journal Article
PubMed ID 19440079
Source: Synthetic delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (dronabinol) can improve the symptoms of schizophrenia
Author(s) Schwarcz G, Karajgi B, McCarthy R
Institution Rockland Psychiatric Center, Orangeburg, NY 10962, USA. gs2272@columbia.edu
Source J Clin Psychopharmacol 2009 Jun; 29(3):255-8.
MeSH Adult
Antipsychotic Agents
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Male
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
Psychometrics
Psychotropic Drugs
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenic Psychology
Severity of Illness Index
Tetrahydrocannabinol
Treatment Outcome
Young Adult
Abstract We are reporting improvement of symptoms of schizophrenia in a small group of patients who received the cannabinoid agonist dronabinol (synthetic Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol). Before this report, cannabinoids had usually been associated with worsening of psychotic symptoms. In a heuristic, compassionate use study, we found that 4 of 6 treatment-refractory patients with severe chronic schizophrenia but who had a self-reported history of improving with marijuana abuse improved with dronabinol. This improvement seems to have been a reduction of core psychotic symptoms in 3 of the 4 responders and not just nonspecific calming. There were no clinically significant adverse effects. These results complement the recent finding that the cannabinoid blocker rimonabant does not improve schizophrenic symptoms and suggest that the role of cannabinoids in psychosis may be more complex than previously thought. They open a possible new role for cannabinoids in the treatment of schizophrenia.
Language eng
Pub Type(s) Clinical Trial
Journal Article
PubMed ID 19440079
Source: Synthetic delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (dronabinol) can improve the symptoms of schizophrenia
