Dr Alister McNeish, University of Reading

Location: Bourne Lecture Theatre 2

This talk will introduce you to cannabis-based medicine and debunk some myths surrounding use of cannabis-based medicines in epilepsy. In this talk we will present some of the preclinical data for a purified component found in cannabis - the non-psychoactive Cannabidiol (CBD; Epidiolex); Epidiolex was approved for use by the FDA in rare childhood epilepsies. We will also present evidence that CBD is not only effective and well tolerated but that it also has effects on some of the comorbidities associated with epilepsy that are not treated by other drugs. We also discuss the tantalising possibility that CBD may actually have disease modifying effects in models of epilepsy, which if these findings also translate to humans could have profound implications for treatment of epilepsy and possibly other disorders.

We host a number of guest seminars throughout the academic year to which all students and staff are invited. This is a great way to learn about current research going on at other universities and research institutions, and to meet and network with other scientists.

Find out more about Dr Alister McNeish