Component of Cannabis Could be Used to Develop Effective Anti-Epilepsy Treatment

Researchers have identified a chemical present in the cannabis plant that could be used in developing effective treatment for epilepsy.

Researchers at University of Reading in Britain have identified a chemical present in the cannabis plant that could be used in developing effective treatment for epilepsy without any major side effects.

The researchers, working in collaboration with GW Pharmaceuticals and Otsuka Pharmaceuticals, found that cannabidivarin, or CBDV, reduced the number of seizures in mice afflicted with over six different types of epilepsy without any side effects, such as uncontrollable shaking, caused by currently available anti-epilepsy drugs.

Fits | Epilepsy | Convulsions - Causes Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment FAQs
Fits or convulsions or Epilepsy is characterized by recurrent, involuntary seizures and is described as a chronic neurological disorder

Lead researcher Dr Ben Whalley said that the study, published in the British Journal of Pharmacology, could pave the way of development of more effective treatments for epilepsy. “There is a pressing need for better treatments for epilepsy. It’s a chronic condition with no cure and currently, in around one third of cases, the currently available treatments do not work, cause serious side-effects and increase fatalities”, he said.

Source-Medindia

Neurocysticercosis / Cysticercosis of Brain / Pork Tapeworm - Causes Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment FAQs
Neurocysticercosis or Cysticercosis of brain is the most common cause of epilepsy and the most common parasitic infection of the brain. Neurocysticercosis is more common in the developing countries.

Convulsions / Seizures / Fits - Symptom Evaluation
Seizure or a convulsion is a result of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. If there are two or more unprovoked seizures at an interval of at least 24 hours, it is referred to as epilepsy.

Epilepsy and Slides
Epilepsy is a medical condition where the brain cells fire abnormal electrical signals that physically manifests as a ‘Seizure’. There should be two or more seizures before the term epilepsy should be used.