In both rodent and cell culture models , CBD was found to exert a neuroprotective effect against adverse alcohol consequences on the hippocampus .
In rodent models , CBD was found to attenuate alcohol-induced hepatotoxicity , specifically , alcohol-induced steatosis .
Finally , findings from pre clinical rodent models also indicate that CBD attenuates cue-elicited and stress-elicited alcohol seeking , alcohol self-administration , withdrawal-induced convulsions , and impulsive discounting of delayed rewards .
In human studies , CBD was well tolerated and did not interact with the subjective effects of alcohol .
Collectively , given its favorable effects on alcohol-related harms and addiction phenotypes in pre clinical models , CBD appears to have promise as a c and i date AUD pharmacotherapy .
This is further bolstered by the absence of abuse liability and its general tolerability .
There is substantial interest in the therapeutic potential of cannabidiol ( CBD ) , a nonpsychoactive cannabinoid found in plants of the genus Cannabis .
The goal of the current systematic review was to characterize the existing literature on this topic and to evaluate the credibility of CBD as a c and i date pharmacotherapy for alcohol use disorder ( AUD ) .
Cannabidiol in patients with seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (GWPCARE4): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial
BACKGROUND Patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome , a rare , severe form of epileptic encephalopathy , are frequently treatment resistant to available medications . No controlled studies have investigated the use of cannabidiol for patients with seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome . We therefore assessed the efficacy and safety of cannabidiol as an add-on anticonvulsant therapy in this population of patients . METHODS In this r and omised , double-blind , placebo-controlled trial done at 24 clinical sites in the USA , the Netherl and s , and Pol and , we investigated the efficacy of cannabidiol as add-on therapy for drop seizures in patients with treatment-resistant Lennox-Gastaut syndrome . Eligible patients ( aged 2 - 55 years ) had Lennox-Gastaut syndrome , including a history of slow ( <3 Hz ) spike- and -wave patterns on electroencephalogram , evidence of more than one type of generalised seizure for at least 6 months , at least two drop seizures per week during the 4-week baseline period , and had not responded to treatment with at least two antiepileptic drugs . Patients were r and omly assigned ( 1:1 ) using an interactive voice response system , stratified by age group , to receive 20 mg/kg oral cannabidiol daily or matched placebo for 14 weeks . All patients , caregivers , investigators , and individuals assessing data were masked to group assignment . The primary endpoint was percentage change from baseline in monthly frequency of drop seizures during the treatment period , analysed in all patients who received at least one dose of study drug and had post-baseline efficacy data . All r and omly assigned patients were included in the safety analyses . This study is registered with Clinical Trials.gov , number NCT02224690 . FINDINGS Between April 28 , 2015 , and Oct 15 , 2015 , we r and omly assigned 171 patients to receive cannabidiol ( n=86 ) or placebo ( n=85 ) . 14 patients in the cannabidiol group and one in the placebo group discontinued study treatment ; all r and omly assigned patients received at least one dose of study treatment and had post-baseline efficacy data . The median percentage reduction in monthly drop seizure frequency from baseline was 43·9 % ( IQR -69·6 to -1·9 ) in the cannibidiol group and 21·8 % ( IQR -45·7 to 1·7 ) in the placebo group . The estimated median difference between the treatment groups was -17·21 ( 95 % CI -30·32 to -4·09 ; p=0·0135 ) during the 14-week treatment period . Adverse events occurred in 74 ( 86 % ) of 86 patients in the cannabidiol group and 59 ( 69 % ) of 85 patients in the placebo group ; most were mild or moderate . The most common adverse events were diarrhoea , somnolence , pyrexia , decreased appetite , and vomiting . 12 ( 14 % ) patients in the cannabidiol group and one ( 1 % ) patient in the placebo group withdrew from the study because of adverse events . One patient ( 1 % ) died in the cannabidiol group , but this was considered unrelated to treatment . INTERPRETATION Add-on cannabidiol is efficacious for the treatment of patients with drop seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and is generally well tolerated . The long-term efficacy and safety of cannabidiol is currently being assessed in the open-label extension of this trial . FUNDING GW Pharmaceuticals
In both rodent and cell culture models , CBD was found to exert a neuroprotective effect against adverse alcohol consequences on the hippocampus .
In rodent models , CBD was found to attenuate alcohol-induced hepatotoxicity , specifically , alcohol-induced steatosis .
Finally , findings from pre clinical rodent models also indicate that CBD attenuates cue-elicited and stress-elicited alcohol seeking , alcohol self-administration , withdrawal-induced convulsions , and impulsive discounting of delayed rewards .
In human studies , CBD was well tolerated and did not interact with the subjective effects of alcohol .
Collectively , given its favorable effects on alcohol-related harms and addiction phenotypes in pre clinical models , CBD appears to have promise as a c and i date AUD pharmacotherapy .
This is further bolstered by the absence of abuse liability and its general tolerability .
There is substantial interest in the therapeutic potential of cannabidiol ( CBD ) , a nonpsychoactive cannabinoid found in plants of the genus Cannabis .
The goal of the current systematic review was to characterize the existing literature on this topic and to evaluate the credibility of CBD as a c and i date pharmacotherapy for alcohol use disorder ( AUD ) .