The results of a new study finds that “CBD may reduce seizure frequency in patients with a range of DEEs (epileptic encephalopathies) and complex treatment-resistant epilepsies (TREs).” The study was published by the journal Epilepsy Research, with researchers from Federico II University, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and Jazz Pharmaceuticals.
“The efficacy and safety of a highly purified plant-derived cannabidiol (CBD) oral solution (Epidiolex® [US]/Epidyolex® [EU], EPX) have been established for the treatment of seizures in patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, Dravet syndrome, or tuberous sclerosis complex”, states the study’s abstract. “These conditions involve diverse etiologies, suggesting EPX may have broad utility across different seizure types. This systematic literature review (SLR) evaluated studies reporting CBD effectiveness and tolerability in patients with other developmental and DEEs and complex TREs”.
In accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, “an SLR was conducted in March 2024 using Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane libraries for publications on complex TREs, CBD, seizure outcomes, and adverse events (AEs).” Results were “narratively summarized according to epilepsy type.”
Focal or multifocal-onset epilepsy and Angelman syndrome were the most frequently represented conditions. Across the studies, 47 reported seizure reductions in at least one patient. In some cases, 20% to 100% of patients achieved a seizure reduction of at least 50%, while others reported average reductions ranging from 12% to 99%. More than 20 studies also documented at least one patient becoming seizure-free for a minimum of 48 days.
AEs experienced while taking CBD “were generally mild or moderate and most commonly gastrointestinal, including diarrhea (17–50%), decreased appetite (7–45%), and vomiting (5–86%).”
The study concludes by stating “CBD may reduce seizure frequency in patients with a range of DEEs and complex TREs. These findings support future studies in these populations.”
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