Researchers at the University of Sydney have received A$1.7 million in funding from NSW Health to investigate whether CBD can safely and effectively treat neuropathic pain in people living with spinal cord injuries.
Conducted in collaboration with the Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, the clinical trial will take place at Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) in Sydney, a globally recognised centre for brain imaging and spinal cord injury research.
Study participants will receive both CBD and a placebo across two six-week treatment periods, administered in random order. Throughout each period, they will record their pain levels and wear a wrist device that tracks sleep. They will also visit NeuRA four times to undergo brain imaging, complete questionnaires, and provide blood samples.
Co-investigator Professor Iain McGregor from the Lambert Initiative said: "If effective, this trial will provide gold-standard evidence to support the use of CBD for patients with neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury.
"Success… would trailblaze future research on the benefits of CBD in other neuropathic pain conditions which… remain undertreated and misunderstood."
To be eligible, participants must be older than 18, have chronic neuropathic pain resulting from a confirmed spinal cord injury, and be prepared to make four trips to Sydney.
PhD candidate and study coordinator Rebecca Robertson from the University of Sydney's School of Medical Sciences said the study will apply advanced brain imaging methods to pinpoint and understand the specific brain changes that arise after a spinal cord injury and contribute to neuropathic pain.
"[It] also aims to identify a biomarker that will predict whether an individual will respond to CBD, allowing for a more individualised treatment," she added.
As many as 80% of people with a spinal cord injury experience some form of persistent pain, including neuropathic pain caused by direct damage to the spinal cord. Commonly described as stabbing, burning, or numbing, the pain can be so intense that many sufferers consider it the most disabling aspect of their condition.
"Current treatment options for neuropathic pain are limited and often come with significant side effects that make the condition worse, highlighting a need for new treatment options," said lead investigator Professor Luke Henderson from the University of Sydney's Brain and Mind Centre and the School of Medical Sciences.
"Doctors are increasingly prescribing cannabis-based products for neuropathic pain," added McGregor. "But the lack of clinical studies makes it difficult for doctors to guide patients on the correct dosage for optimal efficacy and safety."
