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.
ANZCCP Members 20% discount:
Find your member discount code here or email [email protected] for a discount code before purchasing.
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 |