Effects of Cannabidiol on Sturge-Weber syndrome's psychiatric, cognitive, and neurological symptoms

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Created On: 04/02/2023

This open-label, prospective study was carried out to evaluate the effects of Cannabidiol treatment for psychiatric, cognitive, and neurological symptoms in Sturge-Weber Syndrome patients.

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Key take away

In people with Sturge-Weber Syndrome, Cannabidiol exhibits a good tolerability profile and is associated with improvements in quality of life, anxiety, and emotional regulation.

Background

This open-label, prospective study was carried out to evaluate the effects of Cannabidiol treatment for psychiatric, cognitive, and neurological symptoms in Sturge-Weber Syndrome patients.

Method

The trial medication was administered to 10 participants with Sturge-Weber Syndrome brain involvement, cognitive deficits, and controlled seizures. For six months, oral cannabidiol was consumed at doses ranging from 5 - 20 mg/kg per day. Every 4-12 weeks, recording of the adverse events, quality of life, port-wine birthmark score, and Sturge-Weber Syndrome neuroscore was done.

Assessments in the areas of neuropsychology, psychiatry, and motor function were done at baseline and 6-month follow-up. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of assessments were done virtually.

Result

Cannabidiol showed good tolerability. One participant withdrew early owing to moderate adverse effects, whereas 6 participants experienced mild to moderate adverse effects associated with the study drug and continued treatment. There were no seizures noted.

The reports of bimanual ability usage, anxiety and emotional control, patient-reported quality of life, and Sturge-Weber Syndrome neuroscore all showed substantial improvements. Migraine quality of life scores in these participants was greater at baseline and remained high. Motor, neuropsychological, and other quality of life results were steady, with some within-subject enhancements reported.