Preliminary Evidence on Cannabis Effectiveness and Tolerability for Adults With Tourette Syndrome

Elia Abi-Jaoude; Lei Chen; Patrina Cheung; Tracy Bhikram; Paul Sandor

doi:10.1176/appi.neuropsych.16110310

Preliminary Evidence on Cannabis Effectiveness and Tolerability for Adults With Tourette Syndrome

J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2017 Fall;29(4):391-400. doi: 10.1176/appi.neuropsych.16110310. Epub 2017 May 3.

Authors

Elia Abi-Jaoude¹, Lei Chen¹, Patrina Cheung¹, Tracy Bhikram¹, Paul Sandor¹

Affiliation

¹ From the Department of Psychiatry, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (EA-J); the Department of Psychiatry, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (EA-J, PS); Global Medicines Development, AstraZeneca Canada, Inc., Mississauga, Ontario, Canada (LC); the Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (PC); the Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (TB); and Youthdale Treatment Centers, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (PS).

PMID: 28464701
DOI: 10.1176/appi.neuropsych.16110310

Abstract

The authors retrospectively evaluated effectiveness and tolerability of cannabis in 19 adults with Tourette syndrome. Tics scores decreased by 60%, and 18 of the 19 participants were at least "much improved." Cannabis was generally well tolerated, although most participants reported side effects.

Keywords: Basal Ganglia Disorders; Drug/Psychotherapy Treatment of Neuropsychiatric Disorders; Neuropharmacology; Outcome Studies Biological/Pharmacological.

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Cannabis / adverse effects
Comorbidity
Female
Humans
Male
Medical Marijuana* / adverse effects
Middle Aged
Phytotherapy / adverse effects
Preliminary Data
Retrospective Studies
Severity of Illness Index
Tics / drug therapy
Tourette Syndrome / drug therapy*
Treatment Outcome
Young Adult

Substances

Medical Marijuana