Cannabinoid-Based Medicines and Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

The emerging role of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the control of symptoms and disease progression in multiple sclerosis (MS) has been highlighted by recent studies. MS is a chronic, immune-mediated, and demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system with no cure so far. It is widely reported that cannabinoids might be used to control MS symptoms and that they also might exert neuroprotective effects and slow down disease progression. The aim of this chapter is to give an overview of the main endogenous and synthetic cannabinoids used for the symptomatic amelioration of MS and their beneficial outcomes, providing new possible perspectives for the treatment of this disease.

Keywords: Arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA) reuptake inhibitors; Cannabinoid receptors; Endocannabinoid system; Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitors; Monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) inhibitors; Multiple sclerosis.