Cannabidiol may not reduce seizures for adults with drug-resistant epilepsy
Randomised controlled trial: Subjects are randomly assigned to a test group, which receives the treatment, or a control group, which commonly receives a placebo. In 'blind' trials, participants do not know which group they are in; in ‘double blind’ trials, the experimenters do not know either. Blinding trials helps removes bias.
People: This is a study based on research using people.
A study in adults with drug-resistant focal epilepsy has found little evidence that cannabidiol can reduce their seizures. A team of Aussie and international researchers randomised 188 patients to receive either small or large doses of cannabidiol through the skin or placebo over 12 weeks. At the end of the study period, the researchers say there was no significant difference in seizure reduction between the three groups. Over a more long-term follow up period they say seizure rates in the cannabidiol-treated participants were somewhat reduced from what could be expected, suggesting more research using higher doses could be warranted as the medication appeared to be well-tolerated and safe.
Journal/conference: JAMA Network Open
Link to research (DOI): 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.20189
Organisation/s: Monash University, The University of Melbourne
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