Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 22, 2026

Tobacco Hornworm as an Insect Model System for Cannabinoid Pre-clinical Studies
05:25

Tobacco Hornworm as an Insect Model System for Cannabinoid Pre-clinical Studies

Published on: December 29, 2021

Effectiveness and tolerability of cannabidiol in paediatric epilepsy: a one-year multisite prospective study

Andreas Halman1, Jeremy L Freeman2, Michael Fahey3

  • 1School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.

Epilepsy & Behavior : E&B
|May 20, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Cannabidiol shows promise for paediatric epilepsy, with many patients experiencing reduced seizures and hospitalizations. However, high discontinuation rates due to ineffectiveness or side effects necessitate further research for optimal patient selection.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Pharmacology
  • Cannabinoid Research

Background:

  • Epilepsy impacts millions globally, with drug-resistant forms posing significant challenges.
  • Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive cannabis compound, presents potential therapeutic benefits for paediatric epilepsy.
  • Existing evidence on CBD efficacy in paediatric epilepsy is limited, necessitating further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of purified cannabidiol in paediatric epilepsy patients.
  • To assess changes in seizure frequency, hospitalizations, and overall epilepsy severity.
  • To identify factors influencing treatment discontinuation and patient response.

Main Methods:

  • A multi-site, open-label, observational study involving 103 paediatric epilepsy patients.
  • Patients received purified cannabidiol through a compassionate access program.
  • Data collected at baseline, 3, and 12 months included seizure frequency, hospitalizations, medication use, adverse events, and validated epilepsy severity scales (Global Assessment of Severity of Epilepsy, CGI-I).

Main Results:

  • 46% of patients discontinued treatment by 12 months, primarily due to lack of effectiveness (31%) or adverse events (7%).
  • Among continuing patients, 40% showed significant improvement (CGI-I 'much improved' or higher) at 12 months.
  • Sustained reductions were observed in epilepsy severity, seizure frequency, medication use, status epilepticus, emergency visits, and hospitalizations.
  • Adverse events were reported by 31% of patients, mostly mild to moderate.

Conclusions:

  • Cannabidiol treatment demonstrated sustained improvements in multiple epilepsy-related measures in paediatric patients.
  • High discontinuation rates underscore the need for further research to identify patient subgroups most likely to benefit from CBD.
  • Cannabidiol shows potential as an adjunctive therapy for paediatric epilepsy, but careful patient selection is crucial.

Keywords:
CannabidiolLennox-gastautMedicinal cannabisPaediatric epilepsySeizures

More Related Videos

Oromucosal as an Alternative Method for Administration of Cannabis Products in Rodents03:43

Oromucosal as an Alternative Method for Administration of Cannabis Products in Rodents

Published on: August 22, 2025

Electromagnetic Source Imaging in Presurgical Evaluation of Children with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy09:57

Electromagnetic Source Imaging in Presurgical Evaluation of Children with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy

Published on: September 20, 2024

Related Concept Videos

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption01:23

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption

Understanding the physiological differences in the pediatric population is crucial for effective pharmacotherapy. Neonates, infants, and children exhibit significant variations in gastric pH, gastric emptying time, intestinal transit time, and biliary function. These variations profoundly affect oral drug absorption, necessitating a nuanced approach to pediatric dosing.Neonates present with a unique physiological profile, having a gastric pH greater than 4 and faster and more irregular gastric...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution01:17

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution

Drug distribution in the pediatric population exhibits unique challenges and considerations due to the physiological differences between children, particularly neonates and infants, and adults. A crucial aspect of pediatric pharmacology is understanding how these differences impact the pharmacokinetics of various drugs, necessitating age-specific dosing strategies to ensure efficacy and safety.Neonates and infants have a higher total body water content, ~75%–90% of their body weight, compared...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism01:24

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism

In pediatric care, understanding the nuances of hepatic drug metabolism is crucial, as it significantly differs from that of adults. This divergence is primarily due to the developmental stage of drug-metabolizing enzymes, which affects how medications are processed in the body. In neonates, for instance, the activity of Phase I enzymes—critical for the initial breakdown of drugs—is markedly reduced, functioning at just 20–40% of the levels seen in adults. This reduction poses a challenge in...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion01:26

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion

In pediatric medicine, understanding the renal function and drug elimination nuances is crucial for administering safe and effective treatments. Newborns, in particular, display markedly slower renal functions than adults, profoundly affecting how drugs are cleared from their bodies. This slower drug clearance requires clinicians to extend the dosing intervals for many medications to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.One key area where these adjustments...
Bioavailability Study Design: Single Versus Multiple Dose Studies01:11

Bioavailability Study Design: Single Versus Multiple Dose Studies

Bioavailability studies are essential for understanding how a drug is absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted in the body. These studies assess the extent and rate at which the active pharmaceutical agent becomes available at the site of action. The design of bioavailability studies can involve single-dose or multiple-dose regimens, each with distinct advantages and limitations.Single-dose studies are the preferred approach due to their simplicity and reduced drug exposure for...
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Cannabinoids01:21

Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Cannabinoids

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a phytocannabinoid that primarily interacts with the CB1 receptor, a type of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) predominantly in and around the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) and emetic center. THC also blocks the serotonin receptor activity in the dorsal vagal complex (DVC) by inhibiting serotonin release. THC exerts its anti-emetic effects through these interactions, which are beneficial for patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Two synthetic agonists of THC,...