Investigating Neuropharmacological Features of the Cortical Activity of Cannabidiol GWP42003 P—A Phase 1 Clinical Trial

Abstract

Highlights What are the main findings? A dose of purified cannabidiol did not significantly alter cortical excitability or established GABAergic biomarkers. The drug exhibited a trend toward increased alpha and decreased delta neural synchronization compared to placebo. What are the implications of the main findings? The absence of significant effects dictates a cautious interpretation of potential GABAergic modulation. Capturing the distinct neuropharmacological mechanisms of cannabidiol on cortical networks may require chronic dosing rather than acute administration. Abstract Background/Objectives: Despite the clinical efficacy of cannabidiol (CBD) in treating certain epilepsies, its in vivo neuropharmacological mechanisms remain incompletely understood. This Phase 1 clinical trial aimed to evaluate the acute effects of a single oral dose of highly purified CBD (GWP42003-P) on cortical excitability. Transcranial magnetic stimulation combined with electroencephalography (TMS-EEG) and electromyography (TMS-EMG) were utilized as assessment tools. Methods: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial, 15 healthy male participants received a single 1500 mg dose of GWP42003-P or placebo. Cortical activity metrics, including resting and active motor thresholds (RMT, AMT), short intracortical inhibition (SICI), TMS-evoked potentials (TEPs), TMS-related spectral perturbations (TRSP), and inter-trial phase clustering (ITPC), were recorded pre-dose and at 1, 4, and 6 h post-dose. Results: RMT and AMT significantly decreased over time following CBD administration, though without a significant Condition × Time interaction. While primary analyses showed no condition-driven alterations for SICI, TEPs, or TRSP, secondary longitudinal modeling revealed a transient reduction in beta-band desynchronization 1 h post-dose, aligning with peak plasma concentration. The drug condition also exhibited a qualitative, non-significant trend toward increased alpha ITPC and decreased delta ITPC at 4 and 6 h post-dose compared to placebo. Conclusions: A single acute 1500 mg dose of GWP42003-P did not produce statistically significant alterations in widespread cortical excitability in healthy adult males. However, the transient blunting of beta desynchronization at peak concentration may reflect CBD’s distinct, non-classical neuromodulatory profile. Overall, these largely null findings suggest that acute CBD administration lacks a robust, direct modulatory effect on cortical networks. Capturing its precise neuropharmacological mechanisms will likely require future investigations utilizing chronic dosing paradigms or clinical patient populations.