Abstract Cannabidiol (CBD) showed anticonvulsant action in several preclinical models and is currently approved by regulatory agencies to treat childhood epilepsy syndromes. However, CBD treatment has limited benefits, and its long-term effects on cognition are not fully understood yet. This study aimed to examine the impact of long-term CBD treatment in the pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-kindling model of epilepsy. Adult male Wistar rats (N = 24) received PTZ (35 mg/kg intraperitoneally) every other day until two consecutive generalized seizures occurred. CBD (60 mg/kg body weight) was administered daily by the oral route until the kindled state was achieved (n = 12). To confirm that the formulation and administration...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Microglia, the dynamic innate immune cells of the central nervous system, become activated in epilepsy. The process of microglial activation in epilepsy results in the creation of an inflammatory environment around the site of seizure onset, which contributes to the epileptogenic process and epilepsy progression. Cannabidiol (CBD) has been effective for use as an adjunctive treatment for two severe pediatric seizure disorders. Newly recognized as an Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drug treatment in epilepsy, it has gained in popularity primarily for pain management. Although CBD is readily available in stores and online retailers, its...

Abstract Cannabidiol (CBD) has gained attention as a therapeutic agent and is purported to have immunomodulatory, neuroprotective, and anti-seizure effects. Here, we determined the effects of chronic CBD administration in a mouse model of CLN1 disease (Cln1−/−) that simultaneously exhibits neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration, and spontaneous seizures. Proteomic analysis showed that putative CBD receptors are expressed at similar levels in the brains of Cln1−/− mice compared to normal animals. Cln1−/− mice received an oral dose (100 mg/kg/day) of CBD for six months and were evaluated for changes in pathological markers of disease and seizures. Chronic cannabidiol administration was well-tolerated, high levels of CBD were detected in the brain, and markers of...

Abstract Aims: Epilepsy is a neurological disease occurring worldwide. Alterations in the gut microbial composition may be involved in the development of Epilepsy. The study aimed to investigate the effects of cannabidiol (CBD) on gut microbiota and the metabolic profile of epileptic rats. Materials and methods and results: A temporal lobe epilepsy rat model was established using Li-pilocarpine. CBD increased the incubation period and reduced the epileptic state in rats. Compared to epileptic rats, the M1/M2 ratio of microglia in the CBD group was significantly decreased. The expression of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in the CBD group decreased, while IL-10, IL-4, and TGF-β1 increased. 16S rDNA...

Abstract OBJECTIVE We hypothesized that serum cannabidiol (CBD) concentrations would be higher in patients taking pharmaceutical- versus artisanal-CBD oil, and higher serum CBD concentrations would correlate with increased side effects and decreased seizure frequency. METHODS This was a retrospective chart review. We included patients with pharmacoresistant epilepsy, treated with artisanal-CBD or pharmaceutical-CBD (Epidiolex), and with quantitative serum CBD concentrations. We tracked epilepsy diagnosis, artisanal-CBD dosage, pharmaceutical-CBD dose, serum CBD concentration, clobazam concentration, N-desmethylclobazam concentration, seizure history (frequency of motor seizures), response to medication (percentage reduction in motor seizures), and side effects. RESULTS Forty-two patients met inclusion criteria. Mean serum CBD concentration was 51.1 ng/mL...

Abstract Due to its anticonvulsant properties, cannabidiol can be supportive as an adjuvant therapy in the management of drug resistant epilepsy. This retrospective observational study evaluates the intensity and frequency of the seizures of patients with drug-resistant epilepsy that have been treated with antiepileptic medication associated with CBD in low doses for at least 12 months. Thirty-four patients were included in the study. The most frequent diagnosis of epilepsy was focal symptomatic epilepsy and Lennox–Gastaut syndrome (35.2%). During the follow-up, there was a statistically significant decrease in the seizure frequency (t student p < 0.001). A high proportion of patients, 16, concluded the study with a...

Please use this link to access this publication: https://journals.physiology.org/doi/epdf/10.1152/physrev.00049.2021 Abstract Cannabis was used to treat convulsions and other disorders since ancient times. In the last few decades, preclinical animal studies and clinical investigations have established the role of cannabidiol (CBD) in treating epilepsy and seizures and support potential therapeutic benefits for cannabinoids in other neurological and psychiatric disorders. Here, we comprehensively review the role of cannabinoids in epilepsy. We briefly review the diverse physiological processes mediating the central nervous system response to cannabinoids, including D9-THC, cannabidiol, and terpenes. Next, we characterize the anti- and proconvulsive effects of cannabinoids from animal studies of acute seizures and...

Please use this link to access this publication: https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/can.2023.0067 Abstract Background: Status epilepticus (SE) is a series of seizures that can lead to serious neurological damages. Cannabidiol (CBD) is extracted from the cannabis plant, which has been approved as an antiseizure medication. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of various doses of CBD on lithium-pilocarpine-induced SE in rats and possible involvement of multiple pharmacological pathways. We hypothesized that cannabinoid receptors type 1 (CB1) and CB2, as well as GABAA receptors, might have important roles in the anticonvulsant effects of CBD against SE by its anti-inflammatory effects. Methods: SE was induced by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of lithium (127 mg/kg,...

Abstract The use of medical Cannabis has increased in recent years due to changing legal circumstances in many countries. Approval exists only for a few neurological conditions such as rare forms of epilepsy or spasticity in multiple sclerosis. Beyond that, however, medical Cannabis is used for a wide range of neurological conditions and symptoms. In Germany, in parallel with new legislation that has simplified the prescription of medical Cannabis, an accompanying survey has been implemented for which initial data are now available. In this context, our review provides an overview of the evidence for the therapeutic use of medical Cannabis in neurology, the potential benefits, and side effects.