Home Page >
News and press releases >
News archive >
CUPID study finds cannabis derivatives do not slow the progress of Multiple Sclerosis
CUPID study finds cannabis derivatives do not slow the
progress of Multiple Sclerosis
30 May 2012
A randomised controlled trial involving nearly 500 people with
multiple sclerosis (MS) from across the UK has shown that cannabis
derivatives do not slow the progress of the disease as had been
hoped. These results were presented at the Association of British
Neurologists' conference by Professor John Zajicek of the Peninsula
Medical School, Plymouth University.
The CUPID (Cannabinoid Use in Progressive Inflammatory brain
Disease) study is the first large non-commercial study to
investigate whether the main active constituent of cannabis
(tetrahydrocannabinol, THC) is effective in slowing the course of
progressive MS.
People with progressive MS remained on treatment with either THC
capsules or placebo capsules for three years, and were carefully
followed to see how their MS changed over this period. Overall the
study found no evidence to support an effect of THC on MS
progression when measured by neurologists or patients. It may still
alleviate symptoms but there is currently no treatment to prevent
MS from progressing.
Andrew Nunn, who was an investigator on the trial, said “It is
very disappointing that THC does not seem to slow MS progression.
However, one of the other aims of the CUPID study was to improve
the way that clinical trial research is done, by exploring newer
methods of measuring MS and using the latest statistical methods to
make the most of every piece of information collected. The CUPID
study will therefore provide important information to help us
conduct further large-scale clinical trials in MS in the
future.”
Further information
