Cannabis effective in ADHD?

Cannabis is effective in the treatment of ADHD and Tourette syndrome?

(06.06.2010) Scientists from the Universities of Göttingen, Hamburg and Dresden have found that the cannabis substance "Delta-9-THC" is therapeutically useful in the treatment of Tourette's syndrome (TS) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) could. The doctors report the successful treatment of a 15-year-old boy suffering from a treatment-refractory Tourette syndrome and ADHD. The administration of the substance "Delta-9-THC" has led to a significant improvement in the so-called "tics", without causing side effects. In addition, the administration of "Delta-9-THC" allowed the simultaneous treatment of ADHD with stimulants (A Case Report J Clin Psychopharmacol 2010; 30 (2): 190-2).

The treatment had been able to increase the transmission of nerve stimuli in the cerebral cortex, the researchers explained. Thus, it suggests that "Delta-9-THC could be a successful alternative in patients with severe Tourette syndrome, which is not responding to classical treatments," concluded the authors of the scientific report. The use of stimulants in patients with concomitant ADHD syndrome and TS has been observed to increase tics. By awarding "Delta-9-THC" a successful treatment can be carried out without producing any side effects. "The enhancement of intracortical inhibition could be mediated by modulating the release of various neurotransmitters, including dopamine and gamma-aminobutyric acid," the researchers said.

It has been known for some time that the proportion of adolescents who use cannabis and at the same time suffer from ADHD syndrome is relatively high. Thus, cannabis in the brain of ADHD patients has a similar effect to the drug methylphenidate and, among other things, blocks the absorption of the messenger dopamine. However, the use of cannabis, especially in ADHD patients, also increases motivation inhibition. In addition, the use and trade of cannabis in Germany is strictly prohibited. (Sb)

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