EFFECTS OF CANNABIDIOL IN HUNTINGTON'S DISEASE 

Neurology 36 (Suppl 1) April 1986 p. 342  

Reuven Sandyk, Paul Consroe, Lawrence Z. Stern, and Stuart R. Snider, Tucson, AZ

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a major nonpsychoactive cannabinoid of marijuana. Based on reports indicating possible efficacy of CBD in dystonic movements (Neurology 1984; 34 [Suppl 1]: 147 and 1985; 35 [Suppl 1]: 201), we tried CBD in three patients with Huntington's disease (HD). The patients;, aged 30 to 56, had HD of 7 to 12 years' duration. Their condition has been slowly progressive and unresponsive to prior therapy with neuroleptics. Orally administered CBD was initiated at 300 mg/d and increased 1 week later to 600 mg/d for the next 3 weeks. Mild improvement ( 5 to 15%) in the choreic movements was documented using the tongueprotrusion test (Neurology [Minneap} 1972; 22: 929-33) and a chorea severity evaluation scale (Br J Clin Pharmacol 1981; 11: 129-51) after the first week. Further improvement (20 to 40%) was noticed after the second week of CBD, and this remained stable for the following 2 weeks.

Except for transient, mild hypotension, no side effects were recorded, and laboratory tests were normal. Withdrawal of CBD after 48 hours resulted in return of choreic movements to the pre-CBD state.  

(Supported in part by NINCDS grant #NS15441)