New trial uses cannabis for spinal cord injury induced chronic pain
This world-first trial is looking for new participants
Scientists at the University of Sydney have been awarded $1.7 million from NSW Health to research a new treatment for chronic pain which commonly affects people with spinal cord injuries.聽
Up to 80 percent of people with a spinal cord injury develop some degree of persistent pain. A specific type of pain known as neuropathic pain is caused by damage to the spinal cord. It is often described as stabbing, burning, or a numbing, 鈥榩ins and needles鈥�-like sensation. The pain can be so severe that many regard it as the most debilitating part of their injury.
If effective, this trial will provide gold-standard evidence to support the use of CBD for patients with neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury. It can also help to inform and ultimately change policy surrounding the prescription of medicinal cannabis for the treatment of neuropathic pain and improve patient access.
鈥淐urrent treatment options for neuropathic pain are limited and often come with significant side effects that make the condition worse, highlighting a need for new treatment options,鈥� said the study鈥檚 lead investigator聽Professor Luke Henderson聽from the University of Sydney鈥檚聽Brain and Mind Centre聽and the聽School of Medical Sciences.
鈥淎necdotally, some people report that cannabis and its derivatives can improve neuropathic pain. However, no one fully understands how it works to improve pain,鈥� said聽, Director of the聽聽at the Prince of Wales Hospital.
搁别肠别苍迟听research聽by the National Drug Strategy Household Survey found 2.7 percent of Australia鈥檚 population took up cannabis use for medicinal purposes in 2019 鈥� a figure which has been rapidly rising since the drug was made available via prescription in late 2016.
鈥淒octors are increasingly prescribing cannabis-based products for neuropathic pain,鈥� said the study鈥檚 co-investigator聽Professor Iain McGregor聽from the University of Sydney鈥檚聽Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics.
鈥淏ut the lack of clinical studies makes it difficult for doctors to guide patients on the correct dosage for optimal efficacy and safety.
鈥淭he lack of intoxicating properties of CBD and its promising effects in animal models of neuropathic pain identifies CBD as a suitable treatment worthy of further investigation.鈥�
An MRI machine in action at聽Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) in Randwick, Sydney.
In partnership with the Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, this world-first trial is examining whether the non-intoxicating component of cannabis 鈥� cannabidiol (CBD) 鈥� is safe and effective in reducing neuropathic pain in people with spinal cord injury.
鈥淭his study will use advanced brain imaging techniques to identify and understand the specific changes that occur in the brain after a spinal cord injury that lead to the development of neuropathic pain,鈥� said PhD candidate and study coordinator聽Ms Rebecca Robertson聽from the University of Sydney鈥檚 School of Medical Sciences.
鈥淭his study also aims to identify a biomarker that will predict whether an individual will respond to CBD treatment, allowing for a more individualised treatment.鈥�
The trial will be run at聽聽in Randwick, Sydney, a world-leading facility for brain imaging and spinal cord injury research.
Participants will get to trial both CBD and a placebo in random order over two six-week periods. During each treatment period, participants will be asked to rate their pain and wear a wrist-worn device to measure their sleep. Before and after each treatment period, participants will attend NeuRA to complete a brain scan, questionnaires, and blood collection.
鈥淚f effective, this trial will provide gold-standard evidence to support the use of CBD for patients with neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury. It can also help to inform and ultimately change policy surrounding the prescription of medicinal cannabis for the treatment of neuropathic pain and improve patient access,鈥� said Professor McGregor.
鈥淪uccess of this trial would trailblaze future research on the benefits of CBD in other neuropathic pain conditions which, much like neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury, remain undertreated and misunderstood.鈥�
Participants must be over the age of 18 years with chronic neuropathic pain following a diagnosed spinal cord injury and be willing to travel to Sydney city on four occasions.聽
To find out more about the SCAN trial, visit:聽. To get involved, call 0439 804 551 or email聽scan_study@sydney.edu.au. Limited spaces are available for the study.聽