Parkinson Disease
Study register · detail Fallserie · Parkinson Disease · 2025

Cannabis oil in treating Parkinson's disease: improvement of motor and non-motor symptoms: a case report.

No direction reported GRADE Very low
Samplen = 1 Pat.
DesignFallserie
Routeoral
Summary

Case report n=1, 77-year-old man with advanced Parkinson's disease (22 years since diagnosis) and gastrostomy. After treatment with Cannabis sativa oil: improvement in walking ability, pasty food orally possible without aspiration, significant improvement in non-motor symptoms (more active, more communicative, less depressed).

P
Population77-year-old man with advanced Parkinson's disease (22 years disease duration), bradykinesia, tremor, rigidity, dysphagia with gastrostomy, inadequate response to levodopa, n=1
I
InterventionCannabis sativa oil (dose and cannabinoid composition not specified), oral administration
O
OutcomeImprovement of motor symptoms (independent walking, oral food intake without aspiration) and non-motor symptoms (mood, communication, attention) after treatment initiation
Confidence in the evidence
Very low

The lowest GRADE level, the effect estimate remains uncertain.

Downgraded for
Imprecision
Quality profile
Sample size
Blinding
Effect size
Citations / year
Authors
Issa CTMI, Castro RD, Albuquerque KLGD
DOI 10.1590/1519-6984.290305
Design: Fallserie
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Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, which leads to a reduction in the production of dopamine. Medication with levodopa becomes less effective as the disease progresses. Despite the excellent results observed in clinical practice with the medicinal use of Cannabis in the treatment of PD, the level of scientific evidence is still limited due to the small number of studies published in this field. We present the case of a 77-year-old man diagnosed 22 years ago with PD in an advanced stage, with significant bradykinesia, tremor, and rigidity along with the inability to maintain an upright position and walk, exacerbated by a femur fracture. He also had advanced dysphagia, resulting in a gastrostomy. Although lucid, he showed no interest in conversation and tended to become depressed and isolated. He used Prolopa(R) with no satisfactory therapeutic response. After starting treatment with Cannabis sativa oil, he is now able to walk around the house frequently and eat pasty food regularly without choking or broncho-aspiration episodes. There has also been a significant improvement in non-motor symptoms; he is more active, cheerful, communicative, and attentive to his surroundings. Further studies are needed to elucidate these results and the mechanisms of action of cannabinoids through which they exert possible neuroprotective and neuroreparative effects. These compelling results suggest that cannabis oil may offer a valuable and effective therapeutic option for individuals with Parkinson's disease.

The impediment to action advances action. — Marcus Aurelius