Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40688379›Full record

ArticleEpilepsy & behavior reports2025

The role of cannabis in epilepsy illustrated by two case reports.

Santiago Philibert-Rosas, Cameron J Brace, Sanaa Semia, Barry E Gidal, Bradley T Nix, Anne F Josiah, Melanie Boly, Aaron F Struck

Abstract readCase Reports
In one paragraph

Article in Epilepsy & behavior reports, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Santiago Philibert-RosasDepartment of Neurology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA.
Cameron J BraceDepartment of Neurology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA.
Sanaa SemiaDepartment of Neurology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA.
Barry E GidalDivision of Pharmacy Practice and Translational Research, University of Wisconsin School of Pharmacy, Madison, WI, USA.
Bradley T NixDepartment of Neurology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA.
Anne F JosiahDepartment of Neurology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA.
Melanie BolyDepartment of Neurology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA.
Aaron F StruckDepartment of Neurology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Cannabis use is increasingly prevalent among individuals with epilepsy, yet its impact on seizure control remains poorly understood. While cannabidiol (CBD) has demonstrated antiseizure properties and gained FDA approval for specific epileptic syndromes, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis, may alter neuronal excitability and potentially exacerbate seizure activity. We present two illustrative case reports of male patients with focal epilepsy and chronic cannabis use who underwent treatment with antiseizure medications and responsive neurostimulation (RNS). In both cases, cannabis use was temporally associated with breakthrough seizures and poor seizure control. These cases highlight the complex and multifactorial relationship between cannabis use and seizure outcomes, including potential pharmacokinetic interactions with antiseizure medications (ASM) and the possibility that cannabis may blunt the neuromodulation effects of RNS. Given the retrospective data and limited detail on cannabis use, these findings should be interpreted with caution. As cannabis use rises among individuals with epilepsy, further research is needed to clarify its potential effects on seizures and treatment response, including neuromodulation.

Indexed as

CannabinoidCannabisEpilepsySeizureTetrahydrocannabinol

Identifiers

PMID40688379
PMCPMC12274293

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.