MEDICAL MARIJUANA MAY HELP WITH MS

LONDON - A marijuana pill appeared to relieve some of the symptoms of
multiple sclerosis in the first scientifically rigorous study of the
strongly debated drug. The research, published this week in The Lancet
medical journal, found that even though improvements could not be detected
by doctors' tests, a greater proportion of patients taking the drug reported
reduced pain and muscle stiffness than those taking fake capsules.

Experts said the mixed results make them tricky to interpret.

One study leader, Dr. John Zajicek of the University of Plymouth in England,
said the research raises questions about what's more important: a doctor's
measurements or the patient's perspective.

"I think if there's a conflict, it's what the patient feels which is
important, so I think it's quite encouraging," said Roger Pertwee, a
professor at University of Aberdeen, who was not connected with the study.

A high percentage of those on fake pills - 46 percent - reported
improvements and about 77 percent of those on cannabis and 50 percent of
those on dummy medication guessed what they were on because of the easily
recognized side effects of marijuana, such as dry mouth and a lightheaded
high.

"It makes their perception suspect in that there could have been, in effect,
an enhanced placebo effect," said Dr. Andrew Goodman, director of the MS
center at the University of Rochester in New York, who was not involved in
the study.

Multiple sclerosis, a common nervous system disease, causes a range of
chronic symptoms, including muscle stiffness and spasms, pain, tremor,
fatigue, depression and bladder problems.

The study involved 630 multiple sclerosis patients from around Britain.
One-third received a capsule containing whole cannabis oil; another third
took one containing a synthetic version of a cannabinoid known as
tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. The rest got a fake capsule. Results were
reported after 15 weeks of treatment.

"The stiffness as you move the limb on the bed and measure it carefully does
not pick up a difference," said one researcher, Dr. Alan Thompson.

"But when you look at the impact that [muscle stiffness] has on everyday
life - on what the patient feels - then there is a difference."

Fifty-seven percent of the patients taking the whole cannabis extract said
their pain had eased, compared with 50 percent on THC and 37 percent on
dummy capsules.

For muscle stiffness, 61 percent on cannabis extract and 60 percent on THC
reported an improvement, compared with 46 percent on fake treatment.

Patients reported improved sleep and fewer or less-intense muscle spasms.
Those who could walk showed improved walking ability.

However, when an objective test of muscle stiffness was used, no difference
was detected.