Epilepsy And Canabinoids

This volume highlights the recent advances in the understanding of the endocannabinoid system and the likely benefit from the therapeutic effects of cannabinoid treatment in a variety of health issues. Archeological evidence has shown that Cannabis has a long history of use for multiple purposes, including the treatment of medical conditions. The primary active constituent of the hemp plant Cannabis sativa, delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), causes euphoria, enhancement of sensory perception, tachycardia, antinociception, difficulties in concentration and impairment of memory, among other effects. Despite these undesirable effects, signaling is mostly inhibitory and suggests a putative role for cannabinoids as therapeutic agents by managing several diseases where inhibition of neurotransmitter release would be beneficial. The themes of this book have been edited and written by world-leaders in the field, The contents of the volume aims at readers from a range of academic and professional disciplines, such as biomedicine, several areas of biology, neurology, clinical medicine and pharmacy.

Les produits à base de cannabis dans le traitement de diverses maladies, y compris l’épilepsie, connaissent un essor grandissant, et intéressent de plus en plus les scientifiques. Un grand nombre d’études a été publiée les 15 dernières années, démontrant l’efficacité de ces produits dans le contrôle d’un large spectre d’épisode épileptiques, en particulier ceux observés dans les cas graves d’épilepsie pédiatrique, comme les syndromes Lennox-Gastaut et Dravet. Ce livre, rédigé par des spécialistes du domaine, présente des analyses critiques des données récentes issues d’essais cliniques. Les auteurs et autrices évoquent des sujets comme la pharmacologie, les interactions entre drogues, leur efficacité, effets secondaires potentiels et effets à long-terme sur le développement et le comportement. Les neurologues et tous les cliniciens ayant des patients épileptiques trouveront des informations utiles concernant les meilleures pratiques. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- There has been growing interest in the use of cannabis-based products for the treatment of a wide range of diseases, including epilepsy. A number of studies were published during the last 5 years demonstrating efficacy of purified CBD for the control of a large spectrum of seizure-types, particularly those observed in severe childhood epilepsies, such as Lennox-Gastaut and Dravet syndromes. This book, co-authored by leaders in the field of epileptology, critically reviews recent data from clinical trials. Authors discuss issues related to pharmacology, drug interactions, efficacy, potential adverse events and long-term effects on development and behaviour. Child and adult neurologists and all clinicians contributing to epilepsy care will find useful information on the best practices, when using purified CBD for the treatment of drug-resistant epilepsies.

The pharmacological fight against epilepsy began many centuries ago when Hippocrates discovered that the cause of epilepsy is natural, as opposed to supernatural and, as a consequence, must be treated with a natural remedy. Even though science has significantly progressed since that era, the challenge to find remedies for epilepsy is ever present. The aim of this particular volume is to offer an up-to-date review of the most recent advances in antiepileptic drug development, considered from various viewpoints: (i) general, by taking into account the size of refractory epilepsy and its related problems; (ii) experimental, by exploring the mechanisms of epileptogenesis and the possiblility of influencing it through drugs, and (iii) clinical, by describing the results obtained with compounds currently at an advanced stage of testing.

Do you suffer or know someone who suffers from epilepsy? Epilepsy is a disease of worldwide distribution and is more common than we think. It affects people of all ages, genders or social status. Approximately 50 million people in the world live with seizures characterized by convulsive events, making epilepsy one of the most common neurological diseases globally. But there is a more complex situation; 25 to 30 % of epileptics, i.e. about 20 million people worldwide, are drug refractory. This means that a patient's epileptic seizures are very frequent or the anticonvulsant treatment does not control the seizures. That is why, in the absence of satisfactory clinical results in the treatment of epilepsy, patients, parents and health professionals have joined forces over the years to seek more effective therapies with mechanisms of action with clearer answers than conventional mechanisms of action. In 2013, a television channel released a documentary about a girl named Charlotte Figi, who suffered from a rare form of epilepsy; Dravet Syndrome! This is one of the multiple types of syndromes associated with refractory epilepsy. Do you know what it is like to live with Dravet Syndrome? It means that Charlotte suffered dozens of daily, uncontrollable seizures that reduced her life and that of her family members to dealing with this disease. Charlotte's childhood was not like that of any other child. Hope for a change began when the Stanley brothers of Colorado produced a potent cannabis-based medication. In fact, Charlotte used to experience around 300 seizures a month, but after she was given low-THC cannabis oil, her number of seizures dropped to just 4 a month. In honor of her story, her progress and the social movement she sparked among parents and epilepsy patients, the strain of cannabis used in the oil was named "Charlotte's Web." Currently, most of the studies on the influence of cannabis in the improvement of epilepsy symptoms consider the use of cannabinoids as an adjuvant and synergistic treatment with the basic treatment. This allows, in most cases, to gradually suppress a drug or reduce its dose, with the consequent benefit. However, clinically, the use of cannabis has never been considered as the only drug, nor as the first therapeutic option. Despite this, 90% of the patients who received CBD showed some degree of reduction in seizure frequency. Approximately 60% improved other aspects such as behavior, alertness, language, motor skills, communication, and sleep. Adverse events were reported by 46% of patients, and only 14% had to discontinue treatment. Given these figures, many patients and parents who use cannabis as a treatment for epilepsy recognize that medicine should be focused on conducting more research leading to the borderless legal use of cannabis oil for the treatment of epilepsy symptoms.

Significant changes have taken place in the policy landscape surrounding cannabis legalization, production, and use. During the past 20 years, 25 states and the District of Columbia have legalized cannabis and/or cannabidiol (a component of cannabis) for medical conditions or retail sales at the state level and 4 states have legalized both the medical and recreational use of cannabis. These landmark changes in policy have impacted cannabis use patterns and perceived levels of risk. However, despite this changing landscape, evidence regarding the short- and long-term health effects of cannabis use remains elusive. While a myriad of studies have examined cannabis use in all its various forms, often these research conclusions are not appropriately synthesized, translated for, or communicated to policy makers, health care providers, state health officials, or other stakeholders who have been charged with influencing and enacting policies, procedures, and laws related to cannabis use. Unlike other controlled substances such as alcohol or tobacco, no accepted standards for safe use or appropriate dose are available to help guide individuals as they make choices regarding the issues of if, when, where, and how to use cannabis safely and, in regard to therapeutic uses, effectively. Shifting public sentiment, conflicting and impeded scientific research, and legislative battles have fueled the debate about what, if any, harms or benefits can be attributed to the use of cannabis or its derivatives, and this lack of aggregated knowledge has broad public health implications. The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids provides a comprehensive review of scientific evidence related to the health effects and potential therapeutic benefits of cannabis. This report provides a research agendaâ€"outlining gaps in current knowledge and opportunities for providing additional insight into these issuesâ€"that summarizes and prioritizes pressing research needs.

At the last Annual Representative Meeting of the British Medical Association a motion was passed that `certain additional cannabinoids should be legalized for wider medicinal use.'' This report supports this landmark statement by reviewing the scientific evidence for the therapeutic use of cannabinoids and sets the agenda for change. It will be welcomed by those who believe that cannabinoids can be used in medical treatment. The report discusses in a clear and readable form the use and adverse effects of the drug for nausea, multiple sclerosis, pain, epilepsy, glaucoma, and asthma.

Eріlерѕу is a соndіtіоn thаt has been known to mаnkіnd ѕіnсе ancient times. It affects thе brаіn to cause rереаtеd соnvulѕіоnѕ оr seizures - аlѕо called fіtѕ іn соmmоn раrlаnсе. Thе wоrd "epilepsy" соmеѕ from thе Grееk and mеаnѕ tо bе taken, ѕеіzеd оr attacked. Eріlерѕу аffесtѕ mоrе than 500,000 реорlе іn thе UK аnd several hundrеdѕ of thоuѕаndѕ wоrldwіdе. Eріlерѕу іѕ a life-long tеndеnсу аnd ѕеіzurеѕ mау bеgіn аt аnу tіmе durіng lіfе аnd оссur ѕроrаdісаllу, ѕроntаnеоuѕlу оr frequently. Sоmе оf the еріlерѕіеѕ аrе confined tо раrtісulаr age grоuрѕ whіlе others аffесt аll age grоuрѕ. CBD and other саnnbіnоіdѕ like THC and THCA have bееn ѕhоwn to successfully wоrk аѕ аntіеріlерtіс аgеntѕ. The mаjоrіtу оf research hаѕ bееn fосuѕеd оn CBD bесаuѕе CBD has thе аbіlіtу tо ѕtор seizures wіthоut bеіng psychoactive. Thіѕ is еѕресіаllу іmроrtаnt for сhіldrеn аѕ wеll аѕ аdultѕ whо аrе nоt comfortable wіth thе рѕусhоасtіvе effects of THC. CBD wоrkѕ tо stop ѕеіzurеѕ bу hеlріng tо іmрrоvе thе funсtіоnіng оf thе еndосаnnаbіnоіd system.

Some people suffer from chronic, debilitating disorders for which no conventional treatment brings relief. Can marijuana ease their symptoms? Would it be breaking the law to turn to marijuana as a medication? There are few sources of objective, scientifically sound advice for people in this situation. Most books about marijuana and medicine attempt to promote the views of advocates or opponents. To fill the gap between these extremes, authors Alison Mack and Janet Joy have extracted critical findings from a recent Institute of Medicine study on this important issue, interpreting them for a general audience. Marijuana As Medicine? provides patientsâ€"as well as the people who care for themâ€"with a foundation for making decisions about their own health care. This empowering volume examines several key points, including: Whether marijuana can relieve a variety of symptoms, including pain, muscle spasticity, nausea, and appetite loss. The dangers of smoking marijuana, as well as the effects of its active chemical components on the immune system and on psychological health. The potential use of marijuana-based medications on symptoms of AIDS, cancer, multiple sclerosis, and several other specific disorders, in comparison with existing treatments. Marijuana As Medicine? introduces readers to the active compounds in marijuana. These include the principal ingredient in Marinol, a legal medication. The authors also discuss the prospects for developing other drugs derived from marijuana's active ingredients. In addition to providing an up-to-date review of the science behind the medical marijuana debate, Mack and Joy also answer common questions about the legal status of marijuana, explaining the conflict between state and federal law regarding its medical use. Intended primarily as an aid to patients and caregivers, this book objectively presents critical information so that it can be used to make responsible health care decisions. Marijuana As Medicine? will also be a valuable resource for policymakers, health care providers, patient counselors, medical faculty and studentsâ€"in short, anyone who wants to learn more about this important issue.