CBD could be used to treat epilepsy in children

The researchers found that CBD, the non-psychoactive component of cannabis, can reduce epileptic seizures in children with treatment-resistant forms of the condition.

The Aston University team collaborated with researchers from the NYU Grossman School of Medicine on the paper titled ‘Cannabidiol modulates excitatory-inhibitory ratio to counter hippocampal hyperactivity’, which has been published in the journal Neuron.

There are around 60,000 cases of epilepsy in children in the UK, and the condition can begin at any age. Epilepsy affects children in the same way as adults; however, seizures may be more common in childhood. Epilepsy can be caused by brain injury bought on by trauma, difficulties at birth or infections such as meningitis. However, some researchers believe the condition is always caused by genetic factors.

CBD can block the seizure-causing signals in the brain

The researchers found that CBD could block signals emitted by lysophosphatidylinositol (LPI) molecules. They believe that LPI amplifies nerve function in the brain that causes epileptic seizures. The study builds on previous research showing that CBD can stop LPI from amplifying nerve signals in the hippocampus.

However, the researchers argue that LPI molecules can also weaken signals in the brain that are meant to counter seizures. They used a leading model of epilepsy, developed by Professor Gavin Woodhall, to record electrical signals in the brains of epileptic rodents, some of which were treated with CBD. This allowed the researchers to identify the precise molecular mechanisms that were halted by CBD and better understand how it may be able to treat epilepsy in children.

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