External gel: a new treatment for epilepsy in children
Last reviewed: 12.03.2022
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In a non-randomized controlled trial, a newly developed topical cannabidiol gel product, when added to complex anticonvulsant therapy, helps to reduce the intensity of the convulsive syndrome and significantly improve the well-being of children suffering from epilepsy and convulsive encephalopathy.
Convulsive encephalopathy develops mainly in early childhood and is included in the category of severe epilepsy , along with the Drave, West, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, myoclonic-atonic epilepsy. As for cannabidiol, it has the ability to reduce neuronal excitability and limit seizure activity. Conducting an open experiment demonstrated the safety and good tolerance of this component in patients with drug-resistant type of epilepsy.
Employees of the Royal Children's Hospital (Australia, Melbourne) collected about 50 patients of the middle age category of 10 years (46% - girls) suffering from convulsive encephalopathy. All children took anticonvulsants (from one to four drugs) according to a pre-prescribed drug regimen.
After the introduction of the initial amount of the drug and titrimetric analysis for four weeks, patients received maintenance therapy for more than five months with varying dosages. In general, the application of the cannabidiol gel was repeated twice a day at 125 to 500 mg, and continued for more than six months.
The frequency of epileptic paroxysms was analyzed in 46 patients. Experts noted a decrease in the indicator by more than 12%.
Initially, 33 patients reported recurrent focal clouding and tonic-clonic episodes. Throughout the entire period of treatment and observation, both types of pathological episodes showed a positive response to the additional use of the developed gel preparation.
Relatives of sick children also noted positive changes in socialization and interpersonal activity: patients became more vigilant, energetic, their sleep, concentration, and cognitive ability improved. Clinical indicators of the work of the cardiovascular system have not changed.
Soon, scientists plan to conduct a double-blind, randomized trial using an external gel cannabidiol-containing preparation.
Experts welcome the emergence of a new type of treatment for such a complex pathology. It is the external use of the drug that brings additional intrigue, which has not happened before: anticonvulsant therapy included oral and parenteral administration of medications.
The results of the scientific work done are published on the page of the JAMA Network Open edition. You can find out more details by following the link.https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/958889