CBD Showed Mixed Results for Adults with Dravet Syndrome
In 18 adults with genetically confirmed Dravet syndrome, CBD added to existing medications produced meaningful seizure reduction in about 18% of patients, but adverse effects were common and led to discontinuation in some.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Among 17 evaluable adults with Dravet syndrome treated with CBD (up to 20 mg/kg), 3 (17.6%) achieved greater than 30% reduction in convulsive seizures (range 87.5-100%), while adverse effects occurred in all patients, with transaminitis in 52.9% and behavioral side effects leading to discontinuation in 16.7%.
Key Numbers
18 adults (7 female); median age 27.5 years; median follow-up 176 days; 17.6% had >30% seizure reduction; transaminitis in 52.9%; behavioral AEs led to discontinuation in 16.7%; 7/18 stopped for lack of effect; 8/18 continue treatment; 41.2% showed physician-rated improvement.
How They Did This
Retrospective real-world study of 18 adults with genetically confirmed Dravet syndrome who received CBD through the GW Pharma early access programme at two UK neurology centers, with median follow-up of 176 days.
Why This Research Matters
Most CBD epilepsy research focuses on children. This study provides rare data on CBD effectiveness in adults with Dravet syndrome, where outcomes appear more modest and side effects more common than in pediatric studies.
The Bigger Picture
The gap between the modest seizure reduction rates and the higher rates of perceived improvement by physicians and families suggests CBD may offer quality-of-life benefits beyond seizure frequency alone, though careful monitoring is essential.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Small sample size; no control group; retrospective design; early access programme may attract patients with more severe disease; median follow-up under 6 months.
Questions This Raises
- ?Why do adults with Dravet syndrome appear to respond less robustly to CBD than children?
- ?Would longer treatment duration improve response rates?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 17.6% of adult Dravet patients achieved meaningful seizure reduction with CBD
- Evidence Grade:
- Small retrospective real-world study without controls, providing preliminary evidence on CBD in adult Dravet syndrome.
- Study Age:
- Data from GW Pharma early access programme at two UK centers.
- Original Title:
- Two-center experience of cannabidiol use in adults with Dravet syndrome.
- Published In:
- Seizure, 91, 5-8 (2021)
- Authors:
- Silvennoinen, Katri, Ritter, Laura Mantoan, Nashef, Lina, Hudgell, Kirsty, Balestrini, Simona, Sisodiya, Sanjay M, Sidhu, Meneka K
- Database ID:
- RTHC-03527
Evidence Hierarchy
Looks back at existing records to find patterns.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Does CBD work for adults with Dravet syndrome?
In this small study, about 18% of adults achieved meaningful seizure reduction, and some became seizure-free. However, all patients experienced side effects, and nearly 40% discontinued treatment.
What side effects occurred?
The most common was elevated liver enzymes (transaminitis) in 52.9%. Behavioral side effects led to discontinuation in 16.7% of patients, including one who had been seizure-free.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-03527APA
Silvennoinen, Katri; Ritter, Laura Mantoan; Nashef, Lina; Hudgell, Kirsty; Balestrini, Simona; Sisodiya, Sanjay M; Sidhu, Meneka K. (2021). Two-center experience of cannabidiol use in adults with Dravet syndrome.. Seizure, 91, 5-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seizure.2021.05.014
MLA
Silvennoinen, Katri, et al. "Two-center experience of cannabidiol use in adults with Dravet syndrome.." Seizure, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seizure.2021.05.014
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Two-center experience of cannabidiol use in adults with Drav..." RTHC-03527. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/silvennoinen-2021-twocenter-experience-of-cannabidiol
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.