Last updated on: 8/12/2016 | Author: ProCon.org

Brenda Porter, MD, PhD Biography

Title:
Associate Professor of Neurology at Stanford University Medical Center
Position:
Pro to the question "Should Marijuana Be a Medical Option?"
Reasoning:

“The average number of anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) tried before using cannabidiol-enriched cannabis was 12. Sixteen (84%) of the 19 parents reported a reduction in their child’s seizure frequency while taking cannabidiol-enriched cannabis. Of these, two (11%) reported complete seizure freedom, eight (42%) reported a greater than 80% reduction in seizure frequency, and six (32%) reported 25-60% seizure reduction. Other beneficial effects included increased drowsiness and fatigue. Our survey shows that parents are using cannabidiol-enriched cannabis as a treatment for children with treatment-resistant epilepsy.”

“Report of a Parent Survey of Cannabidiol-Enriched Cannabis Use in Pediatric Treatment-Resistant Epilepsy,” Epilepsy & Behavior, Dec. 29, 2013
Theoretical Expertise Ranking:
     Key Experts
Physicians [Physicians are the "key experts" in the medical marijuana debate because the issue is thought by many to be ultimately based on the medical value and risks of marijuana, and Physicians, with their training and clinical work, should (at least in theory) have the best knowledge of marijuana's medical value and risks.] [Note: Key Experts definition varies by sites that have this designation.]
Involvement and Affiliations:
  • Associate Professor of Neurology, Stanford University Medical Center
  • Member, Bio-X
  • Member, Child Health Research Institute
  • Member, Stanford Neurosciences Institute
    • Education:
  • MD, Washington University School of Medicine, 1995
  • PhD, Neurobiology, Washington University School of Medicine, 1995
  • AB, Biochemistry, Washington University, 1987
    • Other:
  • Residency, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 2000
  • Residency, St. Louis Children’s Hospital, 1997
  • Internship, St. Louis Children’s Hospital, 1996
  • Board Certification, Clinical Neurophysiology, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, 2003
  • Board Certification, Child Neurology, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, 2002
  • Fellowship, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 2002