Review
Unveiling of cannabidiol in the treatment of rare childhood epilepsies: Dravet and Lennox Gastaut syndromes
Mahabba N. Eldernawi, Fadia M. Gafri
Abstract :
In childhood, epilepsy is the most common globally widespread neurological problem, usually with serious consequences for this most critical period of development. Dravet and Lennox Gastaut syndromes are two forms of rare and severe treatment resistant epilepsies that occur early in the life. These resistant epilepsies recognised by continuous unrelenting seizures of many types including the occurrence of status epilepticus. In addition, it is associated with the development of behavioural, neurological, cognitive deficits and the sequelae of increased risk of mortality rate. Historically, cannabis was found to possess several medical benefits including its use for epilepsy. In this review, information and data were extracted from 99 references using PubMed and Google Scholar (November, 2021). Data with clinical evidence on cannabidiol regarding its efficacy on Dravet syndrome and Lennox Gastaut syndrome, mechanism of action, safety, pharmacokinetic properties and interactions with anti-epileptic medications were all reviewed and discussed. Highly purified cannabidiol is a cannabis derived compound that is suggested in recent research as an add-on therapy to the existing treatment of both resistant epileptic types; since it is able to reduce the duration, frequency and severity of seizure disorders. It is also characterised with multiple signalling transduction mechanisms, primarily via inhibition of excitatory and potentiation of inhibitory pathways.