Peer-reviewed industrial hemp research papers, sorted by publication date. Browse the latest findings on hemp cultivation, processing, materials science, biomedical applications, and regulatory science from PubMed, OpenAlex, and other indexed sources.
NEXMIF pathogenic variants have been known to produce a wide spectrum of X-linked intellectual disability (ID) in both males and females. Thus far, few individuals from diverse populations have been described with NEXMIF-related disorders. Herein, we report three individuals with NEXMIF pathogenic variants, the first two are the only males of Korean and Vietnamese descent described with this disorder to our knowledge. The last patient is a Hispanic female who harbors the same pathogenic variant
In this concept paper, we introduce epilepsy-heart syndrome as a shared burden of illness between epilepsy and cardiac disorders. This pragmatic definition is agnostic of which condition came first (the epilepsy or the cardiac disorder), recognising that these conditions can each serve as a risk factor for the other owing to a bidirectional relationship that exists between the brain and the heart. To provide clinical context, we include ictal asystole as an example phenotype of epilepsy-heart sy
Epilepsy is a common neurological disease. At present, there are about 70 million epilepsy patients in the world, half of them are women, and 30-40% of women with epilepsy are of childbearing potential. Patients with epilepsy who are of childbearing potential face more challenges, such as seizures caused by hormonal fluctuations and the risk of adverse effects on the mother and baby from taking anti-seizure medications (ASMs). Breast milk is one of the best gifts that a mother can give her baby,
Open-label and observational studies suggest cannabidiol (CBD) reduces problematic behaviors in autistic children. No controlled clinical trials have addressed safety, tolerability, and efficacy. We conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study of plant-derived CBD (Epidiolex®) to determine safety, tolerability, and behavior effects in autistic boys. Autistic boys with severe behavior problems age 7-14 years were randomized to eight weeks of CBD up to 20 mg/kg/day and eight weeks
Peer-reviewed industrial hemp research by Rajsekar R. Rajaraman; Rachel J. Smith; Shingo Oana; Atsuro Daida; Daniel W. Shrey; Hiroki Nariai; Beth A. Lopour; Shaun A. Hussain published in Clinical Neurophysiology (2024).
Cannabis plants contain more than a hundred cannabinoids of which we have only limited knowledge about their effects and exact mechanisms of action. Cannabidiol (CBD) represents one of the most studied; it was discovered at the beginning of the last century while only recently has attracted greater attention. CBD mechanism of action is still unclear and debated; in the plant only the (-) enantiomer can be found and it seems that only the (+) enantiomer is able to bind to the cannabinoid receptor
The sudden outbreak of coronavirus turned into a pandemic and resulted in huge socio-economic and human losses becoming a public health emergency. It took just 3-4 months to spread and encroach all over the world and not even a single country is left was unaffected by the coronavirus. WHO started clinical, epidemiological, and laboratory investigations in response to this outbreak to control the further spread of the virus. The coronaviruses are enveloped and pleomorphic. The spike proteins pres
Peer-reviewed industrial hemp research by Karen Lob; Julia Bassell‐Hawkins; Rachit Patil; Duyu Nie; Luca Bartolini published in Epilepsy & Behavior (2022).
We propose that epileptic spasms related to de novo NEUROD2 pathogenic variant respond well to combined vigabatrin and high-dose prednisolone therapy. These findings may imply the benefit of using combination therapy to treat epileptic spasms in NEUROD2-related NDD syndrome.
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a phytocannabinoid devoid of psychostimulant properties and is currently under investigation as a potential antidepressant drug. However, the mechanisms underlying CBD's antidepressant effects are not yet well understood. CBD targets include a variety of receptors, enzymes, and transporters, with different binding-affinities. Neurochemical and pharmacological evidence indicates that both serotonin and BDNF-TrkB signalling in the prefrontal cortex are necessary for the antide
Peer-reviewed industrial hemp research by Cindy H. T. Yeung; Kerri Bertrand; Brookie M. Best; Edmund V. Capparelli; Christina Chambers; Dagmar M. Hajducek; Abdullah Hamadeh; Shinya Ito; Jeremiah D. Momper; Andrea N. Edginton published in Clinical Pharmacokinetics (2023).
An increasing number of men require long-term drug therapy for various diseases. However, the effects of long-term drug therapy on male fertility are often not well evaluated in clinical practice. Meanwhile, the development of stem cell therapy and exosomes treatment methods may provide a new sight on treating male infertility. This article reviews the influence and mechanism of small molecule medications on male fertility, as well as progress of stem cell and exosomes therapy for male infertili
Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to reshape itself by constructing new neural connections throughout life, enabling adaptation to change, learning new information, and recovering from injuries. Neuroplasticity mechanisms underline a range of neurologic and psychiatric disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, traumatic brain injury, depression, anxiety, and Schizophrenia. In any given year, approximately 20% of adult humans in the United States experience menta
Neuroinflammation is initiated in response to a variety of endogenous and exogenous sources. As the resident macrophages of the central nervous system, the polarization of microglia into either the M1 pro-inflammatory phenotype or the M2 anti-inflammatory phenotype holds great promise as a therapeutic strategy for neuroinflammation. Natural products, comprising a vital chemical library with distinctive structures and diverse functions, have been extensively employed to modulate microglial polari
Gut microbiota (GM), the "second genome," exerts influence on human health by impacting brain function through the gut-brain axis. This interaction involves various mechanisms, including immune regulation, metabolites, and neuronal pathways. The application of the next-generation sequencing technology provides a revolutionary tool for the study of GM, which contributes to a deeper comprehension of the GM-host relationship. Children with cerebral palsy (CP), a common neurological disorder in chil
Peer-reviewed industrial hemp research by Marco Licciardi; Elena Utzeri; Maria Francesca Marchetti; Vincenzo Nissardi; Giovanni Cecchetto; Massimo Montisci; Roberta Montisci published in BMC Cardiovascular Disorders (2023).
Concomitant ASM drug load increased prior to addition of new ASM, with higher increases observed among patients starting branded vs unbranded ASMs, followed by slight decreases thereafter. Total drug load increased linearly among all patients. These findings underscore the need for ongoing ASM regimen evaluation and treatment optimization in patients with epilepsy.
Vascular malformations are intricate anomalies of the circulatory system, presenting a diverse array of clinical manifestations, and posing significant challenges in diagnosis and treatment. The pathogenesis of vascular malformations is explored through the lens of genetic and molecular mechanisms, shedding light on the pivotal role of somatic mutations and dysregulated signaling pathways. Clinical presentations of vascular malformations are widely variable, ranging from cosmetic concerns to lif
<b>Background:</b> Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) is a severe childhood-onset developmental and epileptic encephalopathy characterized by treatment-resistant seizures and significant morbidity. Despite multiple approved anti-seizure medications (ASMs), optimal seizure control remains elusive. This has led to ongoing interest in newer ASMs, including those not specifically approved for LGS. This review evaluates the emerging evidence on the use of these agents in LGS management. <b>Methods:</b> We
Developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs) are characterized by pharmacoresistant seizures and developmental delay. Patients with DEEs experience multiple seizure types, including tonic-clonic seizures (TCS) that can be generalized tonic-clonic (GTCS) or focal evolving to bilateral tonic-clonic (FBTCS). Fenfluramine (FFA) has demonstrated efficacy in reduction of TCS in patients with Dravet syndrome (DS), Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), and other DEEs. Using the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Rep
Nowadays, particularly in countries with high incomes, individual mutations in people affected by genetic epilepsies are identified, and genetic therapies are being developed. In addition, drugs are being screened to directly target specific mutations, and personalised medicine is possible. However, people with epilepsy do not yet benefit from these advances, and many types of epilepsies are medication-resistant, including Dravet syndrome. Thus, in the meantime, alternative and effective treatme
A significant number of epilepsy patients are refractory to conventional antiepileptic drugs. These patients experience considerable neurocognitive impairments that impact their quality of life and ability to function independently. This need for alternative treatment has generated increased interest in cannabis use as a therapeutic option in these patients. This review seeks to analyze data presented on the pharmacology, safety, and efficacy of cannabis use in patients with drug-resistant epile
The New Zealand MCS successfully established a domestic medicinal cannabis production sector, reduced prices and expanded the range of products to provide alternatives to illegal supply. It has also inadvertently created the conditions for the emergence of specialised cannabis clinics that have enhanced access. However, the increasing supply of THC-dominant and flower products, and the privatisation of prescribing via cannabis clinics, may have unintended negative consequences.