Header: Left to right: Nishi Singh and Kimberley Gillman – research nurses; Dr Anita Goff – consultant physician, care of the elderly
A new clinical trial in Somerset s exploring whether CBD could help ease psychosis symptoms in patients with Parkinson’s disease.
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is taking part in the CANnabidiol for Parkinson’s Disease Psychosis (CAN-PDP) trial, which aims to determine if cannabidiol (CBD) is a safe and tolerable treatment for reducing psychotic symptoms in Parkinson’s patients.
Psychosis affects around three in five people with Parkinson’s and often leads to hallucinations and delusions.
Nishi Singh, a research nurse at the trust, said: “The CAN-PDP study is aiming to recruit 120 patients across the UK.
“I think it’s a really exciting study for our trust to be involved in and it could make a huge difference for patients with Parkinson’s who’re experiencing psychosis.”
CBD is a non-addictive compound found in the cannabis plant.
While research suggests it may help reduce psychotic symptoms, it has not yet been tested specifically in Parkinson’s patients who are on other medications.
Kimberley Gillman, another research nurse involved in the trial, said: “The main centre for the trial is in London, and we are the only NHS trust in the south west taking part, which means patients are visiting us from as far as Devon and Cornwall to take part in the study.
“We see them again a couple of weeks later, where we then randomise them into the study, where they’ll either be given CBD capsules or a placebo for a period of 12 weeks.”
Dr Sarah Cleaver, care of the elderly consultant and the trust’s principal investigator for the study, said: “It’s really exciting to be part of a national study looking to improve the quality of life of patients suffering with psychosis alongside their Parkinsons, as our current options for treatment are limited and psychosis can be so debilitating.”
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https://uk.news.yahoo.com/somerset-nhs-trust-exploring-cbd-040000330.html
