Cannabis and cannabinoid use in autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review

Abstract

Introduction: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction, associated with the presence of restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. Cannabis has been used to alleviate symptoms associated with ASD. Method: We carried out a systematic review of studies that investigated the clinical effects of cannabis and cannabinoid use on ASD, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA checklist). The search was carried out in four databases: MEDLINE/PubMed, Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), Scopus, and Web of Science. No limits were established for language during the selection process. Nine studies were selected and analyzed. Results: Some studies showed that cannabis products reduced the number and/or intensity of different symptoms, including hyperactivity, attacks of self-mutilation and anger, sleep problems, anxiety, restlessness, psychomotor agitation, irritability, aggressiveness perseverance, and depression. Moreover, they found an improvement in cognition, sensory sensitivity, attention, social interaction, and language. The most common adverse effects were sleep disorders, restlessness, nervousness and change in appetite. Conclusion:Cannabis and cannabinoids may have promising effects in the treatment of symptoms related to ASD, and can be used as a therapeutic alternative in the relief of those symptoms. However, randomized, blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials are necessary to clarify findings on the effects of cannabis and its cannabinoids in individuals with ASD. Systematic review registration: International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO), code 164161.

Endocannabinoid Degradation Enzyme Inhibitors as Potential Antipsychotics: A Medicinal Chemistry Perspective

“…However, the ambiguity of cannabis makes it potentially both harmful to the heart [141] and beneficial in cardiovascular diseases [142]. The drug may have clinical applications for the treatment of autism spectrum disorder [143], and CBD showed antipsychotic potential. Since the intervention on ECS degrading enzymes is generally considered more suitable for ECS physiological balance restoration than the use of agents directly acting on CBR, we have tried to infer the possibility of repositioning some known endocannabinoid degradation enzyme inhibitors as potential antipsychotics, as considered by Navarrete et al [144].…”

Medicinal Cannabis for Paediatric Developmental, Behavioural and Mental Health Disorders

“…Improvements have been reported in behaviour, sleep, social function and communication. A recent systematic review of MC in ASD identified that improvements had been reported in a broad range of outcomes including anxiety, agitation, aggression, and self-injurious behaviour, as well as sleep, cognition, attention, social interaction, and language, but concluded that randomised placebo-controlled trials were needed to clarify these findings [ 32 ].…”

Plantas Medicinais E Fitoterápicos

“…A terapêutica convencional aplicada inclui principalmente medicamentos antipsicóticos e ansiolíticos que amenizam os sintomas comportamentais, porém, não tratam a causa do problema, possuindo inúmeros efeitos colaterais no longo prazo. Desta forma, a suplemen-tação de vitamina D, vitamina A, meltilcobalamina, matilfolato, zinco, selênio e uma boa alimentação têm sido ótimos aliados no bom prognóstico dos pacientes portadores do TEA, mas além disso, estudos com o CBD demonstraram uma ação positiva na regulação de problemas que geralmente estão alterados no autismo como: cognição, sistema digestivo, sistema imunológico, redução de convulsões, melhora da nocicepção e neuroplasticidade (CANITANO; SCANDUR-RA, 2008;SILVA JUNIOR et al, 2021).…”