Medical Cannabis as an Effective Treatment for Refractory Symptoms of Paraneoplastic Stiff Person Syndrome

Stiff person syndrome (SPS) is a disorder characterized by fluctuating, progressive and painful spasms of the limbs, trunk and face. The condition is frequently associated with other diseases, including malignancies1. Up to 10% of SPS cases are paraneoplastic (PSPS) and occur with various types of cancer 2. SPS is thought to be immune-mediated, with up to 60% of patients demonstrating antibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), the rate-limiting enzyme for the production of the inhibitory neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA).
Source: Journal of Pain and Symptom Management - Category: Palliative Care Authors: Source Type: research