The effect of cannabidiol (CBD) on low-frequency activity and functional connectivity in the brain of adults with and without autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

Abstract

Background: The potential benefits of cannabis and its major non-intoxicating component cannabidiol (CBD) are attracting attention, including as a potential treatment in neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the neural action of CBD, and its relevance to ASD, remains unclear. We and others have previously shown that response to drug challenge can be measured using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), but that pharmacological responsivity is atypical in ASD. Aims: We hypothesized that there would be a (different) fMRI response to CBD in ASD. Methods: To test this, task-free fMRI was acquired in 34 healthy men (half with ASD) following oral administration of 600 mg CBD or matched placebo (random order; double-blind administration). The ‘fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations’ (fALFF) was measured across the whole brain, and, where CBD significantly altered fALFF, we tested if functional connectivity (FC) of those regions was also affected by CBD. Results: CBD significantly increased fALFF in the cerebellar vermis and the right fusiform gyrus. However, post-hoc within-group analyses revealed that this effect was primarily driven by the ASD group, with no significant change in controls. Within the ASD group only, CBD also significantly altered vermal FC with several of its subcortical (striatal) and cortical targets, but did not affect fusiform FC with other regions in either group. Conclusion: Our results suggest that, especially in ASD, CBD alters regional fALFF and FC in/between regions consistently implicated in ASD. Future studies should examine if this affects the complex behaviours these regions modulate.

Neuroprotection Following Concussion: The Potential Role for Cannabidiol

“…179 Patients with autism spectrum disorder were administered 600 mg of CBD and they also showed changes in functional connectivity as assessed by the fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations. 180 While the direct underlying mechanism by which CBD regulates functional connectivity requires more research, there is a clear therapeutic effect on functional connectivity following CBD intake.…”

Cannabinoids for People with ASD: A Systematic Review of Published and Ongoing Studies

“…Participants were mainly children, even if in two studies there were mixed samples [53,54]. The three studies conducted by Pretzsch and colleagues [55][56][57] included only adults with normal cognitive abilities (IQ>70). Interestingly, only another study [58] has specified the level of functioning, which was not reported in the remaining papers.…”

“…McVige et al [60] documented the use of medical cannabis with unspecified composition. Finally, Pretzsch and colleagues administered single doses of 600 mg of CBD or CBDV [55][56][57]. Only the studies by Pretzsch et al used a control treatment (placebo).…”

“…Only the studies by Pretzsch et al used a control treatment (placebo). The duration of treatment was extremely variable, ranging from single administrations [55][56][57] to six months [51,52]. Of note, many studies were naturalistic and treatment duration was different among participants.…”

Little is known about cannabidiol for improving severe behavioral symptoms of autistic spectrum disorder

“…[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] The remaining nine articles consisted of a viewpoint, ethics statement, letter, two studies done on adult populations, and four studies done using cannabis-based products for the treatment of autism related symptoms in children. [12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] The 2019 Schleider et al article was about a prospective study looking at the safety and efficacy of medical cannabis treatment in children with ASD. 17 A CBD:THC solution of 30% to 1.5% was used in 188 children with ASD who had comorbid behavioral symptoms.…”