Parents Report Mixed Results from Cannabis Extracts for Children's Epilepsy
Among 75 children given oral cannabis extracts for epilepsy, 57% of parents reported some improvement and 33% saw seizures cut by half or more, but 44% experienced side effects including worsened seizures in 13%.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Researchers reviewed records of 75 children and adolescents treated with oral cannabis extracts (OCEs) at a single epilepsy center. Parents reported any improvement in 57% and a greater than 50% seizure reduction in 33%.
Response rates varied dramatically by epilepsy syndrome: Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) had an 88.9% responder rate, Dravet syndrome 23%, and Doose syndrome 0%.
Families who had moved to Colorado specifically for OCE treatment reported higher response rates (47%) than families already living there (22%). Additional reported benefits included improved behavior (33%), language (10%), and motor skills (10%).
However, 44% experienced adverse events including increased seizures (13%), somnolence (12%), and rare serious events including developmental regression, status epilepticus requiring intubation, and one death.
Key Numbers
75 patients; 57% any improvement; 33% >50% seizure reduction; LGS 88.9% response; Dravet 23%; Doose 0%; 44% adverse events; 13% increased seizures; relocated families 47% vs. local 22% response
How They Did This
Retrospective chart review of children and adolescents given oral cannabis extracts for epilepsy at a single tertiary epilepsy center. Parent-reported outcomes. EEG data available for 8 responders showed no improvement.
Why This Research Matters
This study provided early clinical data on cannabis extracts for pediatric epilepsy, revealing both promise and significant concerns. The disconnect between parent-reported improvement and unchanged EEGs highlighted the need for controlled trials with objective measures.
The Bigger Picture
This study was published during the early wave of interest in CBD for epilepsy, before controlled trials of pharmaceutical-grade CBD (Epidiolex) were completed. It highlighted both the potential and the risks of unregulated cannabis extract use in children.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Retrospective, unblinded, parent-reported outcomes. No placebo control (expecting benefit could inflate response rates). Families who relocated to Colorado may have different reporting biases. Product composition varied. EEG data showed no improvement in responders.
Questions This Raises
- ?Why did LGS respond so much better than Dravet or Doose?
- ?How much of the parent-reported improvement was placebo effect?
- ?Why did EEGs not improve even when parents reported fewer seizures?
- ?What explains the worsened seizures in 13%?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- LGS: 89% response rate; Dravet: 23%; Doose: 0%
- Evidence Grade:
- Retrospective chart review with parent-reported outcomes and no control group. Class III evidence that provides useful signals but cannot establish efficacy.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2015. FDA-approved pharmaceutical-grade CBD (Epidiolex) has since been tested in randomized controlled trials for Dravet and LGS.
- Original Title:
- Parental reporting of response to oral cannabis extracts for treatment of refractory epilepsy.
- Published In:
- Epilepsy & behavior : E&B, 45, 49-52 (2015)
- Authors:
- Press, Craig A, Knupp, Kelly G(3), Chapman, Kevin E(3)
- Database ID:
- RTHC-01042
Evidence Hierarchy
Looks back at existing records to find patterns.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Does CBD work for childhood epilepsy?
In this uncontrolled study, 33% of parents reported meaningful improvement. However, response varied hugely by syndrome type, and there was no placebo control. Subsequent randomized trials of pharmaceutical-grade CBD showed clearer efficacy for specific epilepsy syndromes.
Are cannabis extracts safe for children with epilepsy?
In this study, 44% experienced side effects including increased seizures (13%), drowsiness (12%), and rare serious events. The review emphasized the need for controlled studies before drawing conclusions about safety.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-01042APA
Press, Craig A; Knupp, Kelly G; Chapman, Kevin E. (2015). Parental reporting of response to oral cannabis extracts for treatment of refractory epilepsy.. Epilepsy & behavior : E&B, 45, 49-52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2015.02.043
MLA
Press, Craig A, et al. "Parental reporting of response to oral cannabis extracts for treatment of refractory epilepsy.." Epilepsy & behavior : E&B, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2015.02.043
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Parental reporting of response to oral cannabis extracts for..." RTHC-01042. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/press-2015-parental-reporting-of-response
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.