Sativex Markedly Reduced Severe Tics in a Treatment-Resistant Tourette Syndrome Case
A patient with severe Tourette syndrome that had not responded to standard treatments showed marked improvement in both motor and vocal tics after starting Sativex, confirmed by both subjective and blinded objective measures.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
A patient with treatment-resistant Tourette syndrome received Sativex (10.8 mg THC and 10 mg CBD daily, delivered as two oro-mucosal sprays twice daily) for four weeks.
Both subjective and objective measures showed marked improvement. The patient completed the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale, showing substantial self-reported improvement. More compellingly, video recordings made before and during treatment were rated by two assessors who were blind to the treatment stage, using a standardized rating scale. Both blinded assessors confirmed significant reductions in the frequency and severity of motor and vocal tics, with good inter-rater reliability.
Key Numbers
10.8 mg THC and 10 mg CBD daily. Assessment at pre-treatment and weeks 1, 2, and 4. Both subjective and blinded objective measures showed marked improvement. Good inter-rater reliability between two blinded assessors.
How They Did This
Single case report with assessment at pre-treatment and weeks 1, 2, and 4. Subjective assessment via Yale Global Tic Severity Scale. Objective assessment via blinded video rating using the Original Rush Videotape Rating Scale by two independent assessors.
Why This Research Matters
Tourette syndrome has limited treatment options, and many patients do not respond adequately to available medications. This case adds to the growing evidence that cannabinoids may be effective for tic disorders, and the use of blinded objective assessment strengthens the finding beyond typical case reports.
The Bigger Picture
Previous research has suggested cannabinoid efficacy for Tourette syndrome, and this case supports those findings with unusually rigorous methodology for a case report. The combination of THC and CBD in Sativex may offer advantages over THC alone, as CBD may attenuate some of THC's psychoactive effects while potentially contributing its own therapeutic benefits.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Single case report, the weakest level of clinical evidence. Placebo effects cannot be ruled out, even with blinded video assessment. Four weeks of follow-up is short. The patient's specific characteristics may not represent all Tourette syndrome patients.
Questions This Raises
- ?Would controlled trials of Sativex for Tourette syndrome confirm this finding?
- ?Is the THC or CBD component more important for tic reduction?
- ?What is the long-term durability of the tic reduction?
- ?Would lower doses be sufficient?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Marked improvement in tic frequency and severity confirmed by two blinded video assessors.
- Evidence Grade:
- Preliminary evidence from a single case report, though the blinded objective assessment methodology is stronger than typical case reports.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2016. Clinical interest in cannabinoids for Tourette syndrome continues, with some controlled trials underway.
- Original Title:
- Severe motor and vocal tics controlled with Sativex®.
- Published In:
- Australasian psychiatry : bulletin of Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, 24(6), 541-544 (2016)
- Authors:
- Trainor, David, Evans, Lois, Bird, Rupert
- Database ID:
- RTHC-01281
Evidence Hierarchy
Describes what happened to one person or a small group.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Can cannabis treat Tourette syndrome?
This case report showed marked improvement in severe tics with Sativex (THC + CBD). Previous research has also suggested cannabinoid benefits for tics. However, the evidence is still limited to case reports and small studies, and controlled trials are needed.
What is Sativex?
Sativex is a pharmaceutical cannabis spray containing equal amounts of THC and CBD. It is approved in many countries for MS spasticity but has been studied off-label for other conditions including Tourette syndrome.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-01281APA
Trainor, David; Evans, Lois; Bird, Rupert. (2016). Severe motor and vocal tics controlled with Sativex®.. Australasian psychiatry : bulletin of Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, 24(6), 541-544.
MLA
Trainor, David, et al. "Severe motor and vocal tics controlled with Sativex®.." Australasian psychiatry : bulletin of Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, 2016.
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Severe motor and vocal tics controlled with Sativex®." RTHC-01281. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/trainor-2016-severe-motor-and-vocal
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.