PL08: LIFESTYLE CHOICE TREATMENTS FOR NEUROTRAUMA

Chair: Jonathan Lifshitz, PhD

PL08.01 - Ethics of Cannabis Treatment in Clinical and Experimental Neurotrauma

   Jason Scott Robert, PhD - Arizona State University

PL08.02 - Neuroimaging Reveals Preservation of Brain Morphology After Dietary Omega-3 Fatty Acids

   Andre Obenaus, PhD - Loma Linda University

PL08.03 - The Dynamic Relationship Between Sleep and Traumatic Brain Injury

   Christian Baumann, PhD - Zurich University Hospital

Session Description

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) leads to a cascade of complex pathology (e.g., neuroinflammation, excitotoxicity, cell damage) which can lead to acute or long term problems such as cognitive dysfunction.  Spinal cord injury (SCI) results from damage to any part of the spinal cord or nerves at the end of the spinal canal and often causes permanent changes in mobility, strength, sensation and other body functions.  Following TBI or SCI the endocannabinoid system is upregulated and this activation counteracts secondary damage and leads to increased functional outcome in experimental models. Scattered evidence to date suggests that treatment with cannabinoids could mitigate the cellular damage induced by TBI as well and reducing behavioral symptoms. Cannabinoids have also been found to improve locomotor function following SCI. Positive results for cannabinoids in treating and alleviating pathology in other brain diseases (e.g., Huntington"s disease, Dravet syndrome and multiple sclerosis) indicate success for similar symptoms following TBI and SCI. This topic is currently of high interest to researchers due to the neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties associated with cannabis treatment. Cannabis has shown to produce beneficial outcomes in many neurological disorders, but its use following TBI or SCI is limited. This purpose of this discussion is to gain insight on the endocannabinoid system following TBI and SCI and explore the potential for medical cannabis as a treatment.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this session, attendees will be able to:

1. Discuss endocannabinoid signaling following SCI and TBI.
2. Understand how cannabis can influence pathology and clinical outcome from SCI and TBI.
3. Articulate the current state of research and medical benefits of cannabis in neurotrauma.