This course is designed for healthcare professionals including doctors, nurses, and pharmacists who are involved in paediatric care. It focuses on the integration of evidence-based complementary therapies with conventional medical approaches, emphasising the management of paediatric conditions such as epilepsy, neurodevelopmental and behavioural disorders, and Paediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS). Participants will explore the use of cannabinoid-based medicines alongside lifestyle, diet, and supplement strategies, gaining practical insights into the endocannabinoid system’s role in brain development and child health. The course aims to equip prescribers with up-to-date, evidence-based education to improve their confidence in managing these complex conditions.
Successful completion will be one of the requirements under the ANZCCP HREC AP paediatric approval pathway.
Accredited by the RACGP
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the education, participants will be able to:
- Describe the principal aspect of human brain development.
- Identify the major roles of the endocannabinoid system.
- Summarise the major risks and benefits of using CBD and THC during childhood and adolescence.
- Determine safety considerations in prescribing and titrating cannabinoid-based medications.
- Summarise best practice recommendations in medication selection, dosing, and titration for cannabinoid-based treatments.
- Identify current Australian TGA guidelines for the use of cannabinoid-based medicines for the management of paediatric epilepsy.
- Compare different nutritional intervention for epilepsy.
- Evaluate and communicate best practices for the daily administration of medicinal cannabis to patients.
- Describe the symptoms and signs of PANS and PANDAS.
- Implement different strategies for the management of PANS/PANDAS.
Curriculum:
| Topic | Presenter |
| Module 1: Introduction: * Introduction to human brain development * The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) * Brain development and the ECS * The ECS and Foetal Development * Adolescent Brain Development & The ECS * Summary and implications | Dr Orit Holtzman, MBBS, PhD (Neuroscience) |
| Module 2: Brain development and Phytocannabinoids: * Brain development and phytocannabinoids- Introduction * THC and CBD- Pharmacology * Brain development and Phytocannabinoids- THC * Drug addiction and THC * Neuropsychiatric disorders and THC * Cognitive Function and THC * CBD & the Developing Brain * Drug Addiction & CBD * Neuropsychiatric disorders and CBD * CBD and Cognitive Function pre-clinical and clinical evidence | Dr Orit Holtzman, MBBS, PhD (Neuroscience) |
| Module 3: Paediatric Epilepsy * Epilepsy- definition * Pathophysiology of Epilepsy * Epileptogenesis * Comorbidities * The ECS and Epilepsy * The ECS, Neuroinflammation and Epilepsy * CBD & Epilepsy- mechanisms of action * CBD & Neuroinflammation * Δ9-THC and epilepsy * Δ9-THC Mechanism of Action * Δ9-THC & Neuroinflammation * Other Cannabinoids * The role of MC in Epilepsy * Adverse events in Epilepsy * Cannabidiol- approval by the TGA * Beyond CBD- full spectrum MC in Paediatric Epilepsy benefits and risks * TGA Guidelines for the Mx of Epilepsy with MC * Drug interactions * Summary and implications | Dr Orit Holtzman, MBBS, PhD (Neuroscience) |
| Module 4: Paediatric Epilepsy case study * Management of a young child with treatment resistant epilepsy with CBD | Dr Orit Holtzman, MBBS, PhD (Neuroscience) |
| Module 5: Nutritional interventions for Epilepsy * Definition and evidence for the different Ketogenic diets * Side effects and limitations * Dairy and Wheat – are they necessary to remove? * Aspartame * Nutritional deficiencies and Antiepileptic medications (AEDs) * Case studies | Sonya ReynoldsBA, Dip Nutrition, Grad Cert Nutrition |
| Module 6: Medicinal cannabis for paediatric developmental-behavioural disorders * Paediatric psychopharmacology * Principles of quality prescribing * Non-pharmacological supports * Medicinal Cannabis: Side-effects * Medicinal Cannabis: Paediatric drug interactions * Medicinal cannabis for paediatric emotional and behavioural symptoms: Parent and physician perspectives * Evidence for cannabinoids in paediatric behavioural disorders – Fragile X – ASD – Anxiety * Review of current trials *Personal practice | A/Prof Daryl Efron, MBBS, FRACP, MD |
| Module 7: PANS/PANDAS * PANS (Paediatric Acute- onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) definition *Diagnosis * Causes * Pathophysiology * Treatment goals * Pharmacological treatment * Oral and gut microbiome in PANS/PANDAS * Nonpharmacological management * Immune Modulation * Recurrences * Diagnosis and treatment summary | Dr Leila Masson, MD, MPH, FRACP |