seizures

Epilepsy is caused by abnormally excited electrical signals in the brain resulting in seizures or fits, which lead to disturbed brain function and cause changes in attention or behavior.

Study lead Dr. Ben Whalley, from the Departments of Pharmacy and Psychology, at the university said: "There was a stigma associated with cannabis that came out from the 60s and 70s associated with recreational use, so people have tended not to look at it medicinally as a result.”

Discovery of the compounds

Findings of the study suggest that children born with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, a condition caused by maternal drinking during pregnancy, are more likely to suffer from debilitating seizures.

Epilepsy is a common chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures -- abnormal movement or behavior due to unusual electrical activity in the brain.

The condition is more likely to occur in young children or older adults above 65 but can be cured with appropriate medical treatment.

Study details

Seizure is defined as an abnormal movement or behavior due to unusual electrical activity in the brain, according to WebMD. Epilepsy is a group of related disorders characterized by a tendency for recurrent seizures.

German scientists, writing in the Journal of Natural products, said that they were convinced that the herb could have a “detrimental effect.”

"Contrary to our own previous assumption, we are now convinced, however, that G. biloba medications and other products can have a detrimental effect on a person's health condition," they said.