The efficacy of nabilone, a synthetic cannabinoid, in the treatment of PTSD-associated nightmares: A preliminary randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over design study. (January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jetly, Rakesh; Heber, Alexandra; Fraser, George; Boisvert, Denis
• Is Part Of: Psychoneuroendocrinology. Volume 51(2015:Jan.)
• Page Start: 585
• Page End: 588
• Publication Date: 2015-01
• Subjects: PTSD -- Nightmares -- RCT -- Nabilone -- Treatment; Psychoneuroendocrinology -- Periodicals; Endocrinology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Neuropsychoendocrinologie -- Périodiques; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2014.11.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-4530

Abstract

Highlights: Clinical trial of novel agent to treat PTSD related nightmares. Double-blind RCT with cross over design. Trial involved a synthetic endocannabinoid (nabilone). Reduction in PTSD-related nightmares was demonstrated. Medication was well tolerated. Summary: Objective: Investigate the efficacy of nabilone capsules (NAB) in reducing the frequency and intensity of nightmares in subjects with PTSD. Patients and methods: Canadian male military personnel with PTSD, who despite standard treatment continued to experience trauma-related nightmares, received double-blind treatment with 0.5 mg NAB or placebo (PBO), and then titrated to the effective dose (nightmare suppression) or reaching a maximum of 3.0 mg. Subjects were followed for 7 weeks and then, following a 2-week washout period, were titrated with the other study treatment and followed for an additional 7 weeks. The modified intent-to-treat (mITT) population, which included all treated subjects that met inclusion/exclusion criteria, was analyzed. Results: Ten subjects were included in the mITT population. The mean reduction in nightmares as measured by the CAPS Recurring and Distressing Dream scores were −3.6 ± 2.4 and −1.0 ± 2.1 in the NAB and PBO groups, respectively ( p = 0.03). Mean global improvement as measured by the Clinical Global Impression of Change (CGI-C) was 1.9 ± 1.1 (i.e. much improved) and 3.2 ± 1.2 (i.e. minimally improved) in the NAB and PBO groups, respectively ( p = 0.05) Five out of 10 (50%) were much improved on NAB versus 1 out of 9 (11%) on PBO. Results for the General Well Being Questionnaire (WBQ) were 20.8 ± 22 and −0.4 ± 20.6 in the NAB and PBO groups, respectively ( p = 0.04). The proportion of subjects who experienced a treatment-related occurrence of adverse events was 50% in the NBO group and 60% in the PBO group. No event was severe nor resulted in a drop-out. This study is registered with Health Canada. Conclusion: In this small sample NAB provided significant relief for military personnel with PTSD, indicating that it shows promise as a clinically-relevant treatment for patients with nightmares and a history of non-response to traditional therapies. These findings need to be replicated in a larger cohort. There is a need for further exploration of the effect of nabilone on other symptoms of PTSD such as re-experiencing, hyper vigilance and insomnia.