Clinical Opinions: Managing Spasticity in Individuals with MS

Special Edition: Managing MS Spasticity, Issue 2

Clinical Opinions: Managing Spasticity in Individuals with MS

In this issue:

How burdensome is spasticity for patients with MS? What’s the approach to treatment, and how effective is it? What do patients and clinicians need to know about cannabis-based therapies?

These are the key questions Program Director Dr. Michael Kornberg from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine discusses with guest MS spasticity experts in this second part of this eMultipleSclerosis Review Special Edition.

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:

0.5 hour Physicians
0.5 contact hour Nurses

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

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