In a retrospective study of 114 children with refractory epilepsy, 73.3% reported seizure improvement with artisanal CBD-enriched cannabis oil, and 59% of those continuing for at least one year had over 50% seizure reduction.
Parents of children with treatment-resistant epilepsy, pediatric neurologists, and researchers studying cannabinoid therapies for seizures.
59% had over 50% seizure reduction after at least one year
What the researchers found
73.3% of 114 patients reported some seizure improvement. Of 86 patients continuing treatment for at least one year, 51 (59%) showed >50% seizure reduction. Seizure etiology, type, age, and sex were not associated with response. Side effects were minor, and positive effects beyond seizure reduction were noted.
Why it matters
While RCTs have established CBD efficacy for specific epilepsy syndromes, this real-world study shows that artisanal CBD oil may help a broader range of treatment-resistant pediatric epilepsy across different etiologies.
The numbers in context
114 patients total. 84 (73.3%) reported some improvement. 86 continued for at least one year. 51 of 86 (59%) had >50% seizure reduction. Response was not predicted by etiology, seizure type, age, or sex.
How the study worked
Retrospective study of children and adolescents with refractory epilepsy from various etiologies treated with artisanal CBD-enriched cannabis oil from January 2014 to June 2019, with at least one year of follow-up.
What this study cannot tell us
Retrospective, uncontrolled design without placebo comparison. Artisanal product may vary in composition. Self/parent-reported seizure counts. Selection bias may favor patients who responded and continued treatment.
How to read the evidence
Moderate: reasonable sample size with long-term follow-up, but retrospective, uncontrolled, and using artisanal product.
When this study was published
Published in 2022.
The bigger picture
The finding that response was not predicted by seizure etiology or type suggests CBD-enriched oil may have broad applicability in drug-resistant pediatric epilepsy, not just the specific syndromes studied in clinical trials.
Questions still open
- Would these results hold up in a controlled trial? What is the optimal CBD:THC ratio for seizure control? Why does seizure etiology not predict response? How long do benefits persist beyond one year?
Common questions
What type of CBD product was used?
Did all types of epilepsy respond equally?
Were there significant side effects?
Read the original research
The Long-Term Effectiveness and Safety of Cannabidiol-Enriched Oil in Children With Drug-Resistant Epilepsy.
Pediatric neurology, 136, 15-19
Citation
Tzadok, Michal; Hamed, Nasrin; Heimer, Gali; Zohar-Dayan, Efrat; Rabinowicz, Shira; Ben Zeev, Bruria. (2022). The Long-Term Effectiveness and Safety of Cannabidiol-Enriched Oil in Children With Drug-Resistant Epilepsy.. Pediatric neurology, 136, 15-19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2022.06.016
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