Study: Cannabinoids May Help Treat Hyperexcitability-Based Diseases
Cannabinoids may help treat hyperexcitability-based diseases such as Issacs Syndrome, according to a new study published in the journal Epilepsy Research and published online by the U.S. National Institute of Health.
Issacs Syndrome, also referred to as neuromyotonia and Issacs-Merton Syndrome, is a an extremely rare form of peripheral nerve hyperexcitability that causes spontaneous muscular activity. Those with the ailment can suffer from muscle cramps, stiffness, walking difficulties, excessive sweating and fatigue, among other symptoms.
“[A synethic cannabinoid] has revealed to play a role on modulating the hyperexcitability phenomena in the hippocampus”, states the study’s abstract. “Cannabinoid-mediated mechanisms of neuroprotection have recently been found to imply the modulation of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), a cationic channel subfamily that regulate synaptic excitation. In our study, we assessed the influence of pharmacological manipulation of TRPV1 function, alone and on [synethic cannabinoid] antiepileptic activity, in the Maximal Dentate Activation (MDA) acute model of temporal lobe epilepsy.”
After conducting the study, researchers found that “the pharmacological interaction with [the synthetic cannabinoid] support an interplay between cannabinoid and TRPV1 signaling that could represent a promising approach for a future pharmacological strategy to challenge hyperexcitability-based diseases”.
The full study can be found by clicking here.