Study register / Neurology / Huntington Disease

Huntington Disease

2 curated studies · 2 key studies · mechoulam.de

In Huntington's disease, a review and a small controlled pilot study suggest that cannabis-based medicines may be well tolerated and may favourably influence accompanying symptoms such as spasticity, tremor or sleep disturbance. A clear demonstration of efficacy for the core symptoms is still awaited.

Rating scheme

The letter rates the quality of a study, independently of its type. Every study type can receive any grade: a review can be B or C when it is small or weak, and an RCT can be S. The grade is a synthesis of study design, journal authority and clinical bindingness:

S
Highest evidence, large, methodologically first-rate studies or S3 guidelines
A
Strong evidence, solid, meaningful studies with a clear result
B
Moderate evidence, smaller or methodologically limited studies
C
Weak evidence, preliminary, indirect or contradictory findings
D
Lowest evidence, exploratory hints, single cases or expert opinion

Quality profile per study

To the left of each study there is a profile of four features, it shows the differences within a letter class.

Sample size ★
Number of participants (RCT) or included studies (review).
Blinding
Double-blind, single-blind or open-label.
Effect size
Clear benefit, mixed, no benefit or harm.
Citations / year ★
Age-adjusted citation frequency.

Key studies

2
  1. 01
    A
    Medical Cannabis Effects in Movement Disorders, Focus on Huntington Disease; A Literature Review.
    Akinyemi et al. ·2020 ·Journal of pharmacy & pharmaceutical sciences
    Read
  2. 02
    A
    A double-blind, randomized, cross-over, placebo-controlled, pilot trial with Sativex in Huntington’s disease
    López-Sendón Moreno et al. ·2016 ·Journal of Neurology
    Read

Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses

Syntheses of RCT evidence following Cochrane and PRISMA standards.

1
A
Sample size ★★★★★
Blinding —
Effect size —
Citations / year —
● Key study
Akinyemi et al. ·2020 ·Journal of pharmacy & pharmaceutical sciences

Medical Cannabis Effects in Movement Disorders, Focus on Huntington Disease; A Literature Review.

Design
Systematic Review
Sample
k = 22 Studien
Summary

Systematic review on medical cannabis in movement disorders with focus on Huntington's disease; k=22 studies included. Strong evidence for significant improvement in neurological symptoms (spasms, tremor, spasticity, chorea) and sleep quality following cannabis treatment. Motor symptoms showed significant improvement in tremor and rigidity; sleep hours on average significantly increased (pre- vs. post-treatment).

DOI 10.18433/jpps30967 ↗

Randomised Controlled Trials

Efficacy and safety evidence from controlled interventional trials.

1
A
Sample size ★★★★★
Blinding —
Effect size —
Citations / year —
● Key study
López-Sendón Moreno et al. ·2016 ·Journal of Neurology

A double-blind, randomized, cross-over, placebo-controlled, pilot trial with Sativex in Huntington’s disease

Design
RCT
Sample
n = 24 Pat.
Summary

n=24 Huntington patients, double-blind randomised cross-over study with Sativex® (THC:CBD 1:1, up to 12 sprays/day) vs. placebo over 12 weeks. Primary endpoint safety confirmed: no serious adverse events, no worsening of motor (p=0.286), cognitive (p=0.824), behavioural (p=1.0) or functional (p=0.581) scores under Sativex® vs. placebo. No significant symptomatic effects at this dosage and treatment duration; no molecular changes detectable in biomarkers.

DOI 10.1007/s00415-016-8145-9 ↗