CBD significantly reduced abnormal brain electrical activity and improved sleep in children with epilepsy

Interictal epileptiform discharge (IED) rate dropped significantly from 36.8 to 19.6 per minute after 3 months of CBD (p<0.0001). IED reduction moderately correlated with seizure reduction (r=0.39, p=0.02). Sleep microstructure was initially abnormal in 56.5% of recorded cases and improved in 84.6% of those. Higher initial IED rates predicted greater reduction.

Prospective open-label trial of 35 children (mean age 10.1) with drug-resistant epilepsy. CBD at 20 mg/kg/day (up to 50 mg/kg/day) with stable concomitant medications. EEGs recorded at baseline and 3 months. Two blinded independent raters evaluated IED rates in sleep stage 2 or awake state.

Beyond reducing seizures, CBD appears to address the underlying electrical abnormalities between seizures and improve sleep quality. These effects could contribute to better cognitive function and quality of life in children with epilepsy.

Most epilepsy drug studies focus only on seizure counts. This study reveals that CBD may have broader brain effects, reducing abnormal electrical activity and improving sleep architecture, both of which are important for overall brain health in developing children.

Open-label design with no placebo group. Small sample. Only 3 months of follow-up. Subjective visual IED counting. Cannot separate CBD effects from natural disease fluctuation.