cannabidiol and Tics

The COVID-19 pandemic has manifold impacts on clinical trials. In response, drug regulatory agencies and public health bodies have issued guidance on how to assess potential impacts on ongoing clinical trials and stress the importance of a risk-assessment as a pre-requisite for modifications to the clinical trial conduct. This article presents a simulation study to assess the impact on the power of an ongoing clinical trial without the need to unblind trial data and compromise trial integrity. In the context of the CANNA-TICS trial, investigating the effect of nabiximols on reducing the total tic score of the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS-TTS) in patients with chronic tic disorders and Tourette syndrome, the impact of the two COVID-19 related intercurrent events handled by a treatment policy strategy is investigated using a multiplicative and additive data generating model. The empirical power is examined for the analysis of the YGTSS-TTS as a continuous and dichotomized endpoint using analysis techniques adjusted and unadjusted for the occurrence of the intercurrent event. In the investigated scenarios, the simulation studies showed that substantial power losses are possible, potentially making sample size increases necessary to retain sufficient power. However, we were also able to identify scenarios with only limited loss of power. By adjusting for the occurrence of the intercurrent event, the power loss could be diminished to different degrees in most scenarios. In summary, the presented risk assessment approach may support decisions on trial modifications like sample size increases, while maintaining trial integrity.

Topics: Cannabidiol; Computer Simulation; COVID-19; Data Interpretation, Statistical; Dronabinol; Drug Combinations; Endpoint Determination; Humans; Mental Health; Physical Distancing; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Research Design; Sample Size; Severity of Illness Index; Tic Disorders; Tics; Time Factors; Tourette Syndrome; Treatment Outcome

Tourette syndrome (TS) manifests with motor and vocal tics that can reach disabling intensity. Established therapies may show insufficient relief or side effects. Cannabinoids have demonstrated therapeutic potential in small studies. This report presents buccal Nabiximols "as required" in the treatment of tics in TS.. A 25-year-old man presented with stigmatizing motor and phonic tics after cessation of daily Cannabis use. After Tiaprid 300 mg per day had shown no sufficient effect a trial of Nabiximols reduced tics by >90%.. Nabiximols could be an adjunct treatment in TS for situations were tics are severly disabling.

Topics: Adult; Cannabidiol; Dronabinol; Drug Combinations; Humans; Male; Tics; Tourette Syndrome

A single case report on cannabinoid treatment for treatment-resistant Tourette syndrome (TS).. Our subject received 10.8 mg Tetrahydocannabinol and 10 mg cannabidiol daily, in the form of two oro-mucosal sprays of 'Sativex. Both subjective and objective measures demonstrated marked improvement in the frequency and severity of motor and vocal tics post-treatment. There was good interrater reliability of results.. Our results support previous research suggesting that cannabinoids are a safe and effective treatment for TS and should be considered in treatment-resistant cases. Further studies are needed to substantiate our findings.

Topics: Adult; Cannabidiol; Dronabinol; Drug Combinations; Humans; Male; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Reproducibility of Results; Severity of Illness Index; Tics; Tourette Syndrome; Treatment Outcome; Videotape Recording