Marijuana and Its Receptor Protein in The Brain Can Control Epilepsy, VCU Study Finds

Richmond.Com ^ | Sept. 30, 2003

[Wolfie]

Marijuana and Its Receptor Protein in The Brain Can Control Epilepsy, VCU Study Finds

Ingredients in marijuana and the cannabinoid receptor protein, which is produced naturally in the body to regulate the central nervous system and other bodily functions, play a critical role in controlling spontaneous seizures in epilepsy, according to a new study by Virginia Commonwealth University researchers.

The study, the first to look at marijuana and the brain's cannabinoid system in live animals with spontaneous, recurrent seizures, suggests new avenues that researchers can explore in their search for more-effective drugs to treat epileptic patients who don't respond to today's anticonvulsant medications or surgery.

The results appear in the Oct. 1 issue of the Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.

"Although marijuana is illegal in the United States, individuals both here and abroad report that marijuana has been therapeutic for them in the treatment of a variety of ailments, including epilepsy," Dr. Robert J. DeLorenzo, professor of neurology in the VCU School of Medicine, said in a statement.

"But the psychoactive side effects of marijuana make its use impractical in the treatment of epilepsy," said DeLorenzo, who was the lead author on the article. "If we can understand how marijuana works to end seizures, we may be able to develop novel drugs that might do a better job of treating epileptic seizures."

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological conditions, characterized by spontaneously recurrent seizures. Approximately 1 percent of Americans have epilepsy, and 30 percent of those patients are resistant to conventional anticonvulsant drug treatments. Cannabinoids have been used as a natural remedy for seizures for thousands of years, and studies since at least 1974 have found that the primary psychoactive compound in marijuana displays anticonvulsant properties.

DeLorenzo and his colleagues in the VCU Department of Neurology and the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology have been studying the therapeutic effects of marijuana on epilepsy and other illnesses for more than a decade. They were the first to show that cannabinoids work at controlling seizures by activating a protein known as the CB1 receptor that is found in the memory-related area of the brain, the nervous system and other tissues and organs in the body. Research has shown that the CB1 receptor is responsible for the psychoactive effects of marijuana. It also is responsible for controlling excitability and regulating relaxation.

The current study was designed to evaluate the role of the CB1 receptor and function of the body’s cannabinoid system in regulating seizures.

DeLorenzo’s team is now assessing the dosage requirements and evaluating the long-term effects of using cannabinoids for epilepsy in animals.

[CheneyChick]

obligatory ambrose ping!

[Wolfie]

ping

[jmc813]

WOD Ping

[jmc813]

Do you not believe in the 10th Amendment either?

[MrLeRoy]

"But the psychoactive side effects of marijuana make its use impractical in the treatment of epilepsy," said DeLorenzo [...] Research has shown that the CB1 receptor is responsible for the psychoactive effects of marijuana. [...] The current study was designed to evaluate the role of the CB1 receptor and function of the body’s cannabinoid system in regulating seizures.

Anybody else see a contradiction between that first sentence and the second two?

[CheneyChick]

Do you not believe in the 10th Amendment either?

Huh? Because I ping someone to a thread, you suddenly question my beliefs on the Ammendments to the Constitution? I like the 5th - how's that?

You're losing it, bud...

[jmc813]

I did come off a bit harsh. Sorry. Do you think the Federal Drug War is constitutional though?

[AngieGOP]

My son has seizures and his neurologist told him to stay away from marijuana. In fact, the son of a co-worker who also suffered from seizures, wanted to smoke weed. He did and had a seizure while drawing water for a bath and drowned.

[vin-one]

no kidding, what gets you high is also what controls the attacks
try making a pill that won't do both

So for all those JBT's who keep yelling push it through the FDC, here is another study supporting the use of MJ.

I know the response, another liberal University study that should be thrown out because it doesn't agree with their agenda.

[headsonpikes]

Anybody else see a contradiction...

(waving arm strenuously) Me! Me! Me!

;^)

[CheneyChick]

I'll be the first one to admit that I'm not intimately familiar with the whole debate on the Federal Drug War. I have a very simplistic view on drugs. It really isn't a hot issue for me. I've never done any of 'em. I have seen the damage they have done to extended family and friends, some minor, some major. I have never wanted any part of that. So, consequently, I don't have a problem with them being illegal.

Abiding by the posted speed limit is more of a problem for me.

Cheers, CC :)

[CheneyChick]

I also personally don't know anyone who uses the stuff medicinally and what merits that does or doesn't have.

[MrLeRoy]

My son has seizures and his neurologist told him to stay away from marijuana.

I'd like to hear what he has to say about this new study.

In fact, the son of a co-worker who also suffered from seizures, wanted to smoke weed. He did and had a seizure while drawing water for a bath and drowned.

Is there any evidence that smoking weed caused this seizure?

[MrLeRoy]

I have seen the damage they have done to extended family and friends, some minor, some major. [...] So, consequently, I don't have a problem with them being illegal.

Have you seen the damage alcohol has done? Do you support banning alcohol? If not, why not?

[MrLeRoy]

"there are patients with debilitating symptoms for whom smoked marijuana might provide relief. [...] Until a nonsmoked rapid-onset cannabinoid drug delivery system becomes available, we acknowledge that there is no clear alternative for people suffering from chronic conditions that might be relieved by smoking marijuana, such as pain or AIDS wasting."
- Marijuana and Medicine: Assessing the Science Base (1999), Institute of Medicine

[putupon]

So, if you feel like you're fixin' to have a coniption, you need to fire up a fatty?

[AngieGOP]

Yes, it did. It was unfortunate. His mother is heartbroken. His doctor warned him not to drink alcohol or used any type of drugs as they would exacerbate the seizures. He succumbed to peer pressure. It is so sad. I am glad my son listens to his doctor.

[MrLeRoy]

Is there any evidence that smoking weed caused this seizure?

Yes, it did.

What is that evidence? Note that "he had the seizure after he smoked the weed" is NOT evidence that the weed caused the seizure, since this young man also had seizures after not smoking weed.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

Wow, you're a busy boy justifyig pot these days!

The Atkins diet is what is used for epiliepsy. Although Dr. Atkins, when he 'borrowed' it, didn't advertise his recipe as for epileptics.