Dravet syndrome is a severe childhood disorder of the brain that creates treatment resistant epilepsy, autism, and often premature death. Seizures generally increase in frequency, duration and intensity, creating increased risk of injury and ever-increasing challenges for caregivers.
In this mouse model study of Dravet Syndrome, the authors show that treatment with CBD (a component of cannabis) is effective for reducing seizure frequency, duration and intensity. In addition, they found that there was a positive effect on autistic-like social interaction deficits as well.
They explain that one of the mechanisms of action was a re-balancing of the ratio of excitation to inhibition in the hippocampus region of the brain.
