Adjuvant CBD treatment reduced seizures by 50% or more in 87% of adults with drug-resistant focal epilepsy, with 5% becoming seizure-free and significant quality of life improvements.
Epileptologists, adult neurologists, and epilepsy patients with drug-resistant seizures.
87% responder rateachieved 50%+ seizure reduction with adjuvant CBD (average 335 mg/day) in drug-resistant focal epilepsy
What the researchers found
87% of patients achieved 50%+ seizure reduction, 32% reduced seizures by more than 80%, and 5% became seizure-free. Average dose was 335 mg/day. 34% reported mild adverse events with no severe adverse effects.
Why it matters
While CBD is approved for pediatric epilepsies, evidence for adult drug-resistant focal epilepsy has been limited. This study shows promising results in this underserved population.
The numbers in context
44 patients. 5% seizure-free. 32% >80% seizure reduction. 87% >50% reduction. 11% <50% reduction. Average dose 335 mg/day. 34% mild adverse events. 0% severe adverse events.
How the study worked
Open, observational, prospective cohort study (before-after design) in adult outpatients at a public hospital in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with at least 6 months follow-up.
Who was studied
44 adult outpatients with drug-resistant focal epilepsy at a public hospital in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
What this study cannot tell us
No control group or blinding. Open-label design subject to placebo effect and observer bias. Single center. Relatively small sample (n=44).
How to read the evidence
Open-label observational study without controls; promising but requires RCT confirmation.
When this study was published
Recent prospective study from Argentina.
The bigger picture
These results support expanding CBD clinical trials to adult focal epilepsy populations, addressing a significant unmet need in the epilepsy treatment landscape.
Replication
Open-label design; RCTs needed for regulatory approval in adult epilepsy.
Funding
Not specified in abstract
Conflicts of interest
Not specified in abstract
Questions still open
- Would these results hold in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial?
- What is the optimal CBD dosing strategy for adult focal epilepsy?
Read the original research
Cannabidiol as an adjuvant treatment in adults with drug-resistant focal epilepsy.
Epilepsy & behavior : E&B, 144, 109210
Citation
Kochen, Silvia; Villanueva, Manuela; Bayarres, Liliana; Daza-Restrepo, Anilu; Gonzalez Martinez, Silvia; Oddo, Silvia. (2023). Cannabidiol as an adjuvant treatment in adults with drug-resistant focal epilepsy.. Epilepsy & behavior : E&B, 144, 109210. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2023.109210