Medical cannabis could reduce essential tremors

In a controlled study of mice, a team of researchers based in Denmark discovered that a cannabinoid A specific synthetic compound reduced essential tremors, a finding published in the journal Nature Neuroscience and potentially revolutionary for a disease that affects 300,000 people in France.

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark conducted the study and published their findings in the journal *Nature Neuroscience*.

Essential tremors are a neurological disorder that causes involuntary, rhythmic shaking. Although they can affect any part of the body, they usually occur in the hands and are most noticeable when trying to perform simple tasks such as drinking from a glass or tying shoelaces.

Although it is not dangerous in itself, this condition worsens over time and can make daily life extremely difficult for some people. Essential tremor is a condition distinct from Parkinson’s disease, which also causes tremors. It usually first appears in people over the age of 40.

«We focused on essential tremor. It causes involuntary tremors, which can be extremely debilitating and seriously reduce a patient's quality of life,» said declared In a press release, Associate Professor Jean-François Perrier, who led the research project, said, «However, this cannabinoid could also have a beneficial effect on sclerosis and spinal cord injuries, for example, which also cause involuntary tremors.»

Cannabis activates a large group of cells called astrocytes

The key to this research is its focus on astrocytes, which are cells found in the spinal cord and brain. In this study, the researchers demonstrated that cannabis has the ability to activate these cells.

This is essential because astrocytes release a substance called adenosine into the spinal cord and brain, which reduces neural activity. This reduction in neural activity is responsible for the decrease in tremors in mice.

The researchers used a specific type of synthetic cannabinoid called WIN55,212-2, which they injected directly into the spinal cord. The Danish researchers focused on the spinal cord because the activation of spinal cord neurons triggers both voluntary and involuntary movements. The tremors associated with essential tremor occur when motor neurons simultaneously send conflicting signals. Cannabis significantly reduced this activity.