Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

    Written by:
    Nick Milazzo, Katie Jantz

    Fact-checked

    by:

    Mike Murray, Shyam Jayaraman
    Last Updated: June 29, 2023

    Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune neurological disease characterized by the destruction of the myelin sheaths (nerve insulators) on neurons in the central nervous system. Its symptoms can vary, but eye pain, difficulty balancing, and numbness, tingling, and weakness in limbs are common. Attacks are “multiple” over time and/or location in the nervous system.

    21 references on this page
    9,492 participants in 42 trials and 3 meta-analyses

    Overview

    Examine Database: Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

    Research FeedRead all studies

    Frequently asked questions

    Update History

    Examine Database References

    1. Balance - H S Greenberg, S A Werness, J E Pugh, R O Andrus, D J Anderson, E F DominoShort-term effects of smoking marijuana on balance in patients with multiple sclerosis and normal volunteersClin Pharmacol Ther.(1994 Mar)
    2. Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms - Mari Carmen Torres-Moreno, Esther Papaseit, Marta Torrens, Magí FarréAssessment of Efficacy and Tolerability of Medicinal Cannabinoids in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysisJAMA Netw Open.(2018 Oct 5)
    3. Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms - C Vaney, M Heinzel-Gutenbrunner, P Jobin, F Tschopp, B Gattlen, U Hagen, M Schnelle, M ReifEfficacy, safety and tolerability of an orally administered cannabis extract in the treatment of spasticity in patients with multiple sclerosis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover studyMult Scler.(2004 Aug)
    4. Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms - Zajicek JP, Sanders HP, Wright DE, Vickery PJ, Ingram WM, Reilly SM, Nunn AJ, Teare LJ, Fox PJ, Thompson AJCannabinoids in multiple sclerosis (CAMS) study: safety and efficacy data for 12 months follow upJ Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry.(2005 Dec)
    5. Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms - W Notcutt, R Langford, P Davies, S Ratcliffe, R PottsA placebo-controlled, parallel-group, randomized withdrawal study of subjects with symptoms of spasticity due to multiple sclerosis who are receiving long-term Sativex® (nabiximols)Mult Scler.(2012 Feb)
    6. Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms - Letizia Leocani, Arturo Nuara, Elise Houdayer, Irene Schiavetti, Ubaldo Del Carro, Stefano Amadio, Laura Straffi, Paolo Rossi, Vittorio Martinelli, Carlos Vila, Maria Pia Sormani, Giancarlo ComiSativex(®) and clinical-neurophysiological measures of spasticity in progressive multiple sclerosisJ Neurol.(2015 Nov)
    7. Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms - Jody Corey-Bloom, Tanya Wolfson, Anthony Gamst, Shelia Jin, Thomas D Marcotte, Heather Bentley, Ben GouauxSmoked cannabis for spasticity in multiple sclerosis: a randomized, placebo-controlled trialCMAJ.(2012 Jul 10)
    8. Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms - David J Rog, Turo J Nurmikko, Tim Friede, Carolyn A YoungRandomized, controlled trial of cannabis-based medicine in central pain in multiple sclerosisNeurology.(2005 Sep 27)
    9. Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms - J Killestein, E L J Hoogervorst, M Reif, N F Kalkers, A C Van Loenen, P G M Staats, R W Gorter, B M J Uitdehaag, C H PolmanSafety, tolerability, and efficacy of orally administered cannabinoids in MSNeurology.(2002 May 14)
    10. Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms - Michael G Serpell, William Notcutt, Christine CollinSativex long-term use: an open-label trial in patients with spasticity due to multiple sclerosisJ Neurol.(2013 Jan)
    11. Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms - Zajicek JP, Hobart JC, Slade A, Barnes D, Mattison PG, MUSEC Research GroupMultiple sclerosis and extract of cannabis: results of the MUSEC trialJ Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry.(2012 Nov)
    12. Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms - Sven G Meuth, Thomas Henze, Ute Essner, Christiane Trompke, Carlos Vila SilvánTetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol oromucosal spray in resistant multiple sclerosis spasticity: consistency of response across subgroups from the SAVANT randomized clinical trialInt J Neurosci.(2020 Dec)
    13. Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms - Zajicek J, Fox P, Sanders H, Wright D, Vickery J, Nunn A, Thompson A, UK MS Research GroupCannabinoids for treatment of spasticity and other symptoms related to multiple sclerosis (CAMS study): multicentre randomised placebo-controlled trialLancet.(2003 Nov 8)
    14. Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms - C Collin, E Ehler, G Waberzinek, Z Alsindi, P Davies, K Powell, W Notcutt, C O'Leary, S Ratcliffe, I Nováková, O Zapletalova, J Piková, Z AmblerA double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study of Sativex, in subjects with symptoms of spasticity due to multiple sclerosisNeurol Res.(2010 Jun)
    15. Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms - Aragona M, Onesti E, Tomassini V, Conte A, Gupta S, Gilio F, Pantano P, Pozzilli C, Inghilleri MPsychopathological and cognitive effects of therapeutic cannabinoids in multiple sclerosis: a double-blind, placebo controlled, crossover studyClin Neuropharmacol.(2009 Jan-Feb)
    16. Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms - A Novotna, J Mares, S Ratcliffe, I Novakova, M Vachova, O Zapletalova, C Gasperini, C Pozzilli, L Cefaro, G Comi, P Rossi, Z Ambler, Z Stelmasiak, A Erdmann, X Montalban, A Klimek, P Davies, Sativex Spasticity Study GroupA randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, enriched-design study of nabiximols* (Sativex(®) ), as add-on therapy, in subjects with refractory spasticity caused by multiple sclerosisEur J Neurol.(2011 Sep)
    17. Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms - R M Langford, J Mares, A Novotna, M Vachova, I Novakova, W Notcutt, S RatcliffeA double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study of THC/CBD oromucosal spray in combination with the existing treatment regimen, in the relief of central neuropathic pain in patients with multiple sclerosisJ Neurol.(2013 Apr)
    18. Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms - Derick T Wade, Petra Makela, Philip Robson, Heather House, Cynthia BatemanDo cannabis-based medicinal extracts have general or specific effects on symptoms in multiple sclerosis? A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study on 160 patientsMult Scler.(2004 Aug)
    19. Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms - Jolana Markovà, Ute Essner, Bülent Akmaz, Marcella Marinelli, Christiane Trompke, Arnd Lentschat, Carlos VilaSativex ® as add-on therapy vs. further optimized first-line ANTispastics (SAVANT) in resistant multiple sclerosis spasticity: a double-blind, placebo-controlled randomised clinical trialInt J Neurosci.(2019 Feb)
    20. Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms - D T Wade, P M Makela, H House, C Bateman, P RobsonLong-term use of a cannabis-based medicine in the treatment of spasticity and other symptoms in multiple sclerosisMult Scler.(2006 Oct)
    21. Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms - P Fox, P G Bain, S Glickman, C Carroll, J ZajicekThe effect of cannabis on tremor in patients with multiple sclerosisNeurology.(2004 Apr 13)
    22. Urinary Incontinence Signs - R B C Kavia, D De Ridder, C S Constantinescu, C G Stott, C J FowlerRandomized controlled trial of Sativex to treat detrusor overactivity in multiple sclerosisMult Scler.(2010 Nov)
    23. Urinary Incontinence Signs - R M Freeman, O Adekanmi, M R Waterfield, A E Waterfield, D Wright, J ZajicekThe effect of cannabis on urge incontinence in patients with multiple sclerosis: a multicentre, randomised placebo-controlled trial (CAMS-LUTS)Int Urogynecol J Pelvic Floor Dysfunct.(2006 Nov)
    24. Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms - Ghasem Mosayebi, Ali Ghazavi, Keyvan Ghasami, Yahya Jand, Parviz KokhaeiTherapeutic effect of vitamin D3 in multiple sclerosis patientsImmunol Invest.(2011)
    25. Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms - William Camu, Philippe Lehert, Charles Pierrot-Deseilligny, Patrick Hautecoeur, Anne Besserve, Anne-Sophie Jean Deleglise, Marianne Payet, Eric Thouvenot, Jean Claude SouberbielleCholecalciferol in relapsing-remitting MS: A randomized clinical trial (CHOLINE)Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm.(2019 Aug 6)
    26. Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms - Raymond Hupperts, Joost Smolders, Reinhold Vieth, Trygve Holmøy, Kurt Marhardt, Myriam Schluep, Joep Killestein, Frederik Barkhof, Manolo Beelke, Luigi M E Grimaldi, SOLAR Study GroupRandomized trial of daily high-dose vitamin D 3 in patients with RRMS receiving subcutaneous interferon β-1aNeurology.(2019 Nov 12)
    27. Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms - Vahid Shaygannejad, Mohsen Janghorbani, Fereshteh Ashtari, Hamed DehghanEffects of adjunct low-dose vitamin d on relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis progression: preliminary findings of a randomized placebo-controlled trialMult Scler Int.(2012)
    28. Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms - Margitta T Kampman, Linn H Steffensen, Svein I Mellgren, Lone JørgensenEffect of vitamin D3 supplementation on relapses, disease progression, and measures of function in persons with multiple sclerosis: exploratory outcomes from a double-blind randomised controlled trialMult Scler.(2012 Aug)
    29. Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms - Pierrot-Deseilligny C, Rivaud-Péchoux S, Clerson P, de Paz R, Souberbielle JCRelationship between 25-OH-D serum level and relapse rate in multiple sclerosis patients before and after vitamin D supplementationTher Adv Neurol Disord.(2012 Jul)
    30. Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms - Lovera JF, Kim E, Heriza E, Fitzpatrick M, Hunziker J, Turner AP, Adams J, Stover T, Sangeorzan A, Sloan A, Howieson D, Wild K, Haselkorn J, Bourdette DGinkgo biloba does not improve cognitive function in MS: a randomized placebo-controlled trialNeurology.(2012 Sep 18)
    31. Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms - Sama Bitarafan, Aliakbar Saboor-Yaraghi, Mohammad-Ali Sahraian, Danesh Soltani, Shahriar Nafissi, Mansoureh Togha, Nahid Beladi Moghadam, Tina Roostaei, Niyaz Mohammadzadeh Honarvar, Mohammad-Hossein HarirchianEffect of Vitamin A Supplementation on fatigue and depression in Multiple Sclerosis patients: A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical TrialIran J Allergy Asthma Immunol.(2016 Feb)
    32. Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms - Sanoobar M, Eghtesadi S, Azimi A, Khalili M, Khodadadi B, Jazayeri S, Gohari MR, Aryaeian NCoenzyme Q10 supplementation ameliorates inflammatory markers in patients with multiple sclerosis: a double blind, placebo, controlled randomized clinical trialNutr Neurosci.(2015 May)
    33. Fatigue Symptoms - Sanoobar M, Dehghan P, Khalili M, Azimi A, Seifar FCoenzyme Q10 as a treatment for fatigue and depression in multiple sclerosis patients: A double blind randomized clinical trialNutr Neurosci.(2016)
    34. Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms - Naghashpour M, Majdinasab N, Shakerinejad G, Kouchak M, Haghighizadeh MH, Jarvandi F, Hajinajaf SRiboflavin supplementation to patients with multiple sclerosis does not improve disability status nor is riboflavin supplementation correlated to homocysteineInt J Vitam Nutr Res.(2013)
    35. Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms - Bruce A C Cree, Gary Cutter, Jerry S Wolinsky, Mark S Freedman, Giancarlo Comi, Gavin Giovannoni, Hans-Peter Hartung, Douglas Arnold, Jens Kuhle, Valerie Block, Frederick E Munschauer, Frédéric Sedel, Fred D Lublin, SPI2 investigative teamsSafety and efficacy of MD1003 (high-dose biotin) in patients with progressive multiple sclerosis (SPI2): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trialLancet Neurol.(2020 Dec)
    36. Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms - Tourbah A, Lebrun-Frenay C, Edan G, Clanet M, Papeix C, Vukusic S, De Sèze J, Debouverie M, Gout O, Clavelou P, Defer G, Laplaud DA, Moreau T, Labauge P, Brochet B, Sedel F, Pelletier J, MD1003 (high-dose biotin) for the treatment of progressive multiple sclerosis: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.Mult Scler.(2016-11)
    37. Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms - Sedel F, Papeix C, Bellanger A, Touitou V, Lebrun-Frenay C, Galanaud D, Gout O, Lyon-Caen O, Tourbah AHigh doses of biotin in chronic progressive multiple sclerosis: a pilot study.Mult Scler Relat Disord.(2015-Mar)
    38. Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms - Tourbah A, Gout O, Vighetto A, Deburghgraeve V, Pelletier J, Papeix C, Lebrun-Frenay C, Labauge P, Brassat D, Toosy A, Laplaud DA, Outteryck O, Moreau T, Debouverie M, Clavelou P, Heinzlef O, De Sèze J, Defer G, Sedel F, Arndt CMD1003 (High-Dose Pharmaceutical-Grade Biotin) for the Treatment of Chronic Visual Loss Related to Optic Neuritis in Multiple Sclerosis: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.CNS Drugs.(2018-07)
    39. Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms - Tomassini V, Pozzilli C, Onesti E, Pasqualetti P, Marinelli F, Pisani A, Fieschi CComparison of the effects of acetyl L-carnitine and amantadine for the treatment of fatigue in multiple sclerosis: results of a pilot, randomised, double-blind, crossover trialJ Neurol Sci.(2004 Mar 15)
    40. Fatigue Symptoms - Masoud Etemadifar, Farnaz Sayahi, Seyed-Hossein Abtahi, Hamidreza Shemshaki, Gholam-Ali Dorooshi, Mohammad Goodarzi, Mojtaba Akbari, Mahboobeh Fereidan-EsfahaniGinseng in the treatment of fatigue in multiple sclerosis: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind pilot studyInt J Neurosci.(2013 Jul)
    41. Cognition - Komar A, Dickson K, Alavinia M, Bruno T, Bayley M, Feinstein A, Scandiffio J, Simpson REffects of mindfulness-based interventions on cognition in people with multiple sclerosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Front Psychiatry.(2024)
    42. Interleukin 6 - Asbaghi O, Sadeghian M, Sadeghi O, Rigi S, Tan SC, Shokri A, Mousavi SMEffects of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) supplementation on inflammatory biomarkers: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Phytother Res.(2021-Jan)
    43. Walking Ability - Jallouli S, Ghroubi S, Damak M, Sakka S, Elleuch MH, Mhiri C, Yahia A, Driss T, de Marco G, Hammouda O12-week melatonin supplementation improved dynamic postural stability and walking performance in persons living with multiple sclerosis: A randomized controlled trial.Behav Brain Res.(2024 Aug 8)
    44. Sleep Quality - Jallouli S, Jallouli D, Damak M, Sakka S, Ghroubi S, Mhiri C, Driss T, de Marco G, Ayadi F, Hammouda O12-week melatonin intake attenuates cardiac autonomic dysfunction and oxidative stress in multiple sclerosis patients: a randomized controlled trial.Metab Brain Dis.(2024 Dec 4)
    45. Pain - Wade DT, Robson P, House H, Makela P, Aram JA preliminary controlled study to determine whether whole-plant cannabis extracts can improve intractable neurogenic symptomsClin Rehabil.(2003 Feb)