Managing MS Spasticity

Special Edition: Managing MS Spasticity, Issue 1

Managing MS Spasticity

In this issue:

Spasticity is one of the most common symptoms of multiple sclerosis as well as one of the most burdensome. It significantly diminishes patient quality of life and results in progressively worsening disability. What causes spasticity? How effective are currently used treatments? What does the evidence say about the safety and efficacy of treatment with medical cannabis products?

These are some of the questions Program Director Dr. Michael Kornberg from the Department of Neurology at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine discusses in this Special Edition issue of eMultipleSclerosis Review.

This first part of the program presents an evidence-based Expert Commentary and is expanded by brief discussions with three top MS experts. The second part of the program, available soon without charge at eMultipleSclerosisReview.org, provides the full in-depth discussions by Dr. Kornberg with these experts.

Learning objectives:

Describe the clinical manifestations of spasticity, its incidence in people with MS, and its impact on quality of life.
Discuss current management strategies for spasticity, including efficacy and limitations.
Describe the evidence base supporting the use of cannabis-based therapies for MS spasticity, including efficacy, potential side effects and cautions, and available/emerging products.

Authors:

Michael Kornberg, MD, PhD

Assistant Professor
Department of Neurology
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Baltimore, MD

Scott Newsome, DO, MSCS, FAAN, FANA

Associate Professor of Neurology 
Johns Hopkins Hospital 
Baltimore, MD

Alexius Sandoval, MD

Medical Director, Multiple Sclerosis Rehabilitation Program
Johns Hopkins Hospital
Baltimore, MD

Michelle H. Cameron, MD, PT, MCR

Professor, Department of Neurology
Oregon Health & Science University
Portland, OR

Guest Faculty Disclosures

Dr. Michael Kornberg has reported that he has received consulting fees from Genentech, Inc. OptumRx, Novartis AG, Biogen Idec, and TG Therapeutics.

Lisa Fox has reported that she has received consulting fees from Biogen, Idec, Novartis AG, and Genentech, Inc.

Dr. Scott D. Newsome has reported that he has received consulting fees from Biogen Idec, Genentech, Inc., Novartis AG, EMD Serono, Horizon Therapeutics, and Jazz Pharmaceuticals. He has also served as an advisor to Autobahn and Roche and received grant/research support from Biogen Idec, Roche, Genetech, Inc., National MS Society, the US Department of Defense, PCORI, and The Stiff Person Syndrome Research Foundation.

Dr. Alexius Enrique G. Sandoval has indicated that he has no financial interests in or relationships with a commercial entity.

Dr. Michelle Cameron has disclosed that she has received consulting fees from Adamas and Greenwich/Jazz.

Unlabeled/Unapproved Uses

The authors have disclosed they will reference the unapproved or off-label uses of several pharmacologic therapies, including gabapentin, benzodiazepines and cannabis or synthetic cannabinoid products, in the treatment of spasticity.

Program Directors:

Lisa Fox, PA-C, MPAS

Department of Neurology
Johns Hopkins Hospital
Baltimore, MD

Michael Kornberg, MD, PhD

Assistant Professor
Department of Neurology
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Baltimore, MD

Guest Faculty Disclosures:

Dr. Michael Kornberg has reported that he has received consulting fees from Genentech, Inc. OptumRx, Novartis AG, Biogen Idec, and TG Therapeutics.

Lisa Fox has reported that she has received consulting fees from Biogen, Idec, Novartis AG, and Genentech, Inc.

Dr. Alexius Enrique G. Sandoval has indicated that he has no financial interests in or relationships with a commercial entity.

Dr. Michelle Cameron has disclosed that she has received consulting fees from Adamas and Greenwich/Jazz.

Unlabeled/Unapproved Uses:

Length of activity:

1.0 hour Physicians
1.0 contact hour Nurses

Launch date: May 12, 2023
Expiration date: May 11, 2024

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