Should we care about sativex-induced neurobehavioral effects? A 6-month follow-up study

M. Russo, R. De Luca, M. Torrisi, C. Rifici, E. Sessa, P. Bramanti, A. Naro, R.S. Calabrò

IRCCS Centro Neurolesi “Bonino-Pulejo”, Messina, Italy. salbro77@tiscali.it

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• Pharmacology

OBJECTIVE: Sativex® is an exclusive cannabinoid-based drug approved for the treatment of spasticity due to Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The most common side effects include dizziness, nausea, and somnolence. However, it is still under debate whether the drug could cause negative cognitive effects. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of Sativex® on functional and psychological status in cannabis-naïve MS patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: All the study participants (i.e. 40 patients affected by MS) underwent a specific clinical and neuropsychological assessment to investigate spasticity and associated symptoms, besides the cognitive and psychiatric domains commonly impaired in MS, before and after 1 and 6 months of Sativex® administration.

RESULTS: After the treatment, we did not observe any significant neurobehavioral impairment in all the patients, but one.

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that Sativex® treatment does not significantly affect the cognitive and neurobehavioral functions. However, the study supports the relevance of an extensive neuropsychological evaluation in MS patients selected for the drug administration, in an attempt to early detect the uncommon but important neurobehavioral side effects.

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