doi: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2022.108558.
- PMID: 35078115
- DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2022.108558
Abstract
Objective: Evaluate electroencephalographic changes in patients receiving purified pharmaceutical cannabidiol (CBD).
Methods: A total of 104 EEG studies from 52 patients with pediatric-onset refractory epilepsy, who were enrolled in the FDA-approved expanded access investigational new drug program, were retrospectively analyzed for electroencephalographic changes in the background, interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs), ictal findings, and sleep architecture after CBD treatment.
Results: Patients were between 18 months and 52 years of age. After CBD treatment, 88.4% (46/52) of patients had EEG changes. Eighty-nine percent of these patients had changes in their background, 74% in IEDs, 46% in ictal findings, and 17% in sleep architecture. Seven out of 52 patients had modified hypsarrhythmia on their pre-treatment EEG. The pattern resolved in 2/7 patients (29%), diminished in prevalence in 4/7 (57%) subjects, and remained unchanged in 1/7 (14%) cases. Electrographic improvement was seen in 70% (32/46) of the patients, and worsening in 7% (3/46) of the cases. At the post-CBD EEG, 83% had a reduction in the frequency of the most predominant seizure type, and 25% reported subjective cognitive improvement. Of these patients, 88% (p = 0.09) and 92% (p = 0.45) had corresponding EEG changes, respectively.
Conclusion: Our results revealed electrographic changes in association with the CBD treatment. Despite these changes, a substantial association between specific electrographic findings and clinical outcomes was not established.
Keywords: Electroencephalography, Hypsarrhythmia, Medication refractory epilepsy, Purified pharmaceutical cannabidiol, Seizure reduction
Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier Inc.
Conflict of interest statement
Declaration of competing interest Elizabeth A. Thiele M.D., Ph.D. has served as a paid consultant for GW Pharmaceuticals. The remaining authors have no conflicts of interest. We confirm that we have read the Journal’s position on issues involved in ethical publication and affirm that this report is consistent with those guidelines.
