Cannabidiol for Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavior Disorder

Movement Disorders- Volume 36, Issue 7 July 2021 Pages 1711-1715
2021
Carlos M.O. de Almeida MD, Manuelina M.C. Brito MD, Nayanne B. Bosaipo PhD, Angela V. Pimentel MD, Vitor Tumas MD, PhD, Antonio W. Zuardi MD, PhD, Jose A.S. Crippa MD, PhD, Jaime E.C. Hallak MD, PhD, Alan L. Eckeli MD, PhD

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ABSTRACT

Background
REM sleep behaviour disorder (RBD) is a common non-motor feature of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the main non-psychoactive components of Cannabis sativa and may represent an alternative route for treating RBD.

Objective
This study assessed the efficacy and safety of CBD for RBD in PD.

Methods
We conducted a phase II/III, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in 33 patients with RBD and PD. Patients were randomized 1:1 to CBD in doses of 75 to 300mg or matched capsules placebo and were followed up for 14 weeks. The primary outcomes were the frequency of nights with RBD, CGI-I, and CGI-S.

Results
CBD showed no difference to placebo for primary outcomes. Regarding secondary outcomes, we observed a significant improvement in average sleep satisfaction from the 4th to 8th week in the CBD versus placebo group with P = 0.049 and P = 0.038, respectively.

Conclusion
CBD, as an adjunct therapy, showed no reduction in RBD manifestations in PD patients. A transient improvement in sleep satisfaction with a dose of 300mg has been noted. © 2021 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society

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