University of Colorado Conducting Clinical Trial Testing Charlotte’s Web in Epilepsy
The University of Colorado, Denver is currently recruiting participants for a clinical trial evaluating medical cannabis for treatment of seizures.
Over the past few years, there has been an increase in curiosity, regarding medical cannabis and the treatment of epilepsy. Several states have legalized the use of a form of cannabis for treatment of children with rare forms of severe epilepsy, such as Dravet Syndrome. In Dravet Syndrome, a mutation occurs affecting the SCN1A gene. Children with this severe form of epilepsy can have up to 200 seizures a day. Many parents and caregivers have credited medical cannabis with dramatically reducing seizure activity, and have been advocating for the legalization of the drug for their children. However, there have also been anecdotal reports of lack of response with this therapy.
Researchers at the University of Colorado, Denver will conduct a clinical trial to study the benefits of medical cannabis as a seizure treatment. The team is currently recruiting participants for the study, which will evaluate the genes of individuals with Dravet Syndrome who have been treated with a strain of medical cannabis, known as Charlotte’s Web. The researchers note that Charlotte’s Web may have activity in this catastrophic epilepsy syndrome. The team will conduct a genetic analysis of the differences between Dravet responders and non-responders, in the hopes of helping identify patients that are likely to benefit by this therapy, and shed light on the putative mechanisms by which cannabis may exert any antiepileptic effect.
Charlotte’s Web, grown by five brothers in Colorado through a non-profit organization called Realm of Caring, is low in tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the compound that produces the drug’s psychoactive effects, and high in cannabidiol (CBD). CBD is the compound believed to reduce seizures in individuals suffering from specific forms of epilepsy.
The Stanley Brothers began breeding for high CBD cannabis strains in 2009, to find more benefits from the plants compound. After meeting the Figi family in early 2012, and hearing five-year old Charlotte Figi’s success with fighting epilepsy, the Stanley Brother’s CBD project became known as the Charlotte’s Web breeding project.
While anecdotal evidence suggests that this strain of cannabis can be highly effective in treating conditions, such as Dravet Syndrome, scientific investigation of the drug has been hindered by laws at the Federal level, which significantly limit research of cannabis. The study could allow children with the condition to be genetically screened before taking Charlotte’s Web, so that individuals would know in advance whether or not the drug would benefit.
The study is estimated to enroll 150 patients with an estimated primary completion date of February 2016.
Source: Genetic Analysis Between Charlotte’s Web Responders Versus Non-Responders in a Dravet Population
Last updated: 9/4/14; 10:00am EST
