68% of Infants With Treatment-Resistant Epileptic Spasms Responded to CBD Add-On Therapy
In 28 infants with treatment-resistant infantile epileptic spasms syndrome, purified CBD achieved greater than 50% spasm reduction in 68% of patients, with 25% becoming spasm-free.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Of 28 infants with treatment-resistant IESS, 7 (25%) became spasm-free and 12 (43%) had >50% spasm reduction (total responder rate 67.8%). Response was notable in Down syndrome (5/7, 71%) and cerebral palsy (3/5, 60%). Median CBD dose was 25 mg/kg/day. Adverse effects were mild.
Key Numbers
28 infants; 67.8% responder rate; 25% spasm-free; 71% response in Down syndrome; median dose 25 mg/kg/day; baseline 69 spasms/day; mean follow-up 15 months.
How They Did This
Retrospective analysis of 28 infants with treatment-resistant IESS who received purified CBD (Epidyolex) as add-on therapy between July 2021 and June 2023. Mean follow-up 15 months.
Why This Research Matters
Infantile epileptic spasms are devastating and treatment-resistant cases have few options. A 68% response rate with good tolerability suggests CBD may fill an important gap, especially for infants with Down syndrome.
The Bigger Picture
CBD is already approved for Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut syndromes and TSC. These results suggest its efficacy may extend to infantile epileptic spasms, particularly in genetic etiologies like Down syndrome.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Retrospective, uncontrolled design. Small sample (n = 28). No placebo comparison. Heterogeneous etiologies.
Questions This Raises
- ?Would a randomized controlled trial confirm these response rates in IESS?
- ?What makes Down syndrome patients particularly responsive to CBD for epileptic spasms?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 68% response rate in treatment-resistant infantile spasms
- Evidence Grade:
- Retrospective case series without controls, though consistent with CBD efficacy in other epilepsy syndromes.
- Study Age:
- 2024 publication with 2021-2023 data
- Original Title:
- Purified cannabidiol as add-on therapy in children with treatment-resistant infantile epileptic spasms syndrome.
- Published In:
- Seizure, 115, 94-99 (2024)
- Authors:
- Reyes Valenzuela, Gabriela(3), Gallo, Adolfo, Calvo, Agustin(2), Chacón, Santiago, Fasulo, Lorena, Galicchio, Santiago, Adi, Javier, Fortini, Pablo Sebastian, Caraballo, Roberto
- Database ID:
- RTHC-05651
Evidence Hierarchy
Frequently Asked Questions
Can CBD help with infantile spasms?
In this study of 28 infants with treatment-resistant spasms, purified CBD reduced spasms by more than 50% in 68% of patients, with 25% becoming spasm-free. Down syndrome patients responded particularly well (71%).
Is CBD safe for infants with epilepsy?
Adverse effects were mild in this study of infants as young as 6 months receiving CBD doses up to 50 mg/kg/day. EEG improvements tracked with clinical improvement.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-05651APA
Reyes Valenzuela, Gabriela; Gallo, Adolfo; Calvo, Agustin; Chacón, Santiago; Fasulo, Lorena; Galicchio, Santiago; Adi, Javier; Fortini, Pablo Sebastian; Caraballo, Roberto. (2024). Purified cannabidiol as add-on therapy in children with treatment-resistant infantile epileptic spasms syndrome.. Seizure, 115, 94-99. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seizure.2024.01.010
MLA
Reyes Valenzuela, Gabriela, et al. "Purified cannabidiol as add-on therapy in children with treatment-resistant infantile epileptic spasms syndrome.." Seizure, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seizure.2024.01.010
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Purified cannabidiol as add-on therapy in children with trea..." RTHC-05651. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/reyes-2024-purified-cannabidiol-as-addon
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.