Cannabidiol can improve complex sleep‐related behaviours associated with rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder in Parkinson's disease patients: a case series

• Published in: Journal of clinical pharmacy and therapeutics Vol. 39; no. 5; pp. 564 - 566
• Main Authors: Chagas, M. H. N., Eckeli, A. L., Zuardi, A. W., Pena‐Pereira, M. A., Sobreira‐Neto, M. A., Sobreira, E. T., Camilo, M. R., Bergamaschi, M. M., Schenck, C. H., Hallak, J. E. C., Tumas, V., Crippa, J. A. S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Blackwell 01-10-2014; Hindawi Limited
• Subjects: Aged; Biological and medical sciences; cannabidiol; Cannabidiol - therapeutic use; Cannabis; Degenerative and inherited degenerative diseases of the nervous system. Leukodystrophies. Prion diseases; Disorders of higher nervous function. Focal brain diseases. Central vestibular syndrome and deafness. Brain stem syndromes; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Nervous system (semeiology, syndromes); Nervous system as a whole; Neurology; Parkinson Disease; Parkinson's disease; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Phytotherapy; rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder; REM Sleep Behavior Disorder - drug therapy; Human; Nervous system diseases; Parkinson's disease; Parkinson disease; Sleep disorder; Cerebral disorder; Behavioral disorder; Eye; cannabidiol; Visual system; rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder; Sleep; Central nervous system disease; Degenerative disease; Sleep wake cycle; Neurological disorder; Extrapyramidal syndrome
• ISSN: 0269-4727; 1365-2710
• DOI: 10.1111/jcpt.12179

Summary
What is known and objective
Cannabidiol (CBD) is the main non‐psychotropic component of the Cannabis sativa plant. REM sleep behaviour disorder (RBD) is a parasomnia characterized by the loss of muscle atonia during REM sleep associated with nightmares and active behaviour during dreaming. We have described the effects of CBD in RBD symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease.
Cases summary
Four patients treated with CBD had prompt and substantial reduction in the frequency of RBD‐related events without side effects.
What is new and conclusion
This case series indicates that CBD is able to control the symptoms of RBD.