UAB Study Finds CBD Oil Helps Epilepsy Patients
Researchers at UAB published a study this month that offers hope to those dealing with severe epilepsy. It found cannabidiol, or CBD oil, helps curb seizures. The substance is derived from marijuana, minus the hallucinogenic properties. The study was conducted under a 2014 Alabama law known as “Carly’s Law,” which authorized UAB to research CBD oil.
The study found CBD oil reduced the frequency of seizures by about two-thirds. It also reduced the severity of seizures. Study participants had fewer side effects when looking at their medications overall.
“We don’t know whether this is an effect of cannabidiol or whether this is the effect of slightly decreasing other medications or if there is something else, but it’s a very significant finding,” said Dr. Jerzy Szaflarski, director of UAB’s Epilepsy Center.
Advocates, particularly parents of children with severe epilepsy, have contended CBD oil helps with seizures. Szaflarski says a growing body of research like the UAB study backs that up.
The drug used in the study is called Epidiolex and in July the Food and Drug Administration approved it for two rare types of epilepsy. It’s the first CBD-based drug approved by federal regulators. Robert Speth, pharmaceutical sciences professor at Nova Southeastern University in Florida, says that represents a slight softening in attitude by the feds toward marijuana, although there are still tight restrictions on medical research of marijuana.
“You have to keep it in a locked safe. You have to have two layers of security,” Speth says. “It makes it very cumbersome.”
Epidiolex could hit the market next year and with a big price tag – $32,500 a year. Patients won’t necessarily pay that amount as insurers could shoulder some of that cost. A spokeswoman for Alabama’s largest insurer, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, says they’ll review the drug’s effectiveness and safety before deciding whether to cover it.
Why there’s an unexpected surge in people claiming Social Security
Some early filers say worries about the future under the Trump administration moved up their timelines.
Supreme Court says family can sue over wrong-house raid
A unanimous Supreme Court said a family whose house was wrongly raided by law enforcement can sue.
Mississippi’s tech scene is in a catch-22. How can it move forward?
Mississippi ranks near the bottom for the size of its tech industry. But despite its shortcomings, some believe the state is not far from its own tech boom.
Jason Reynolds’ favorite thing is being alone
Jason Reynolds writes stories that meet kids where they're at, as full, complex people. He talks with Rachel about the value of being a crier, and his restless approach to living life to its fullest.
Flight carrying 242 people bound for London has crashed in Ahmedabad, India
An Air India flight with 242 passengers and crew that was bound for London crashed in India's northwestern city of Ahmedabad shortly after departure.
London-bound Air India flight with more than 240 aboard crashes in Ahmedabad, India
A Boeing 787 crashed into a residential area in Ahmedabad city five minutes after taking off. The flight was bound for London's Gatwick Airport. There were 232 passengers and 12 crew members onboard.
