Abstract
Anecdotal evidence of successful cannabis treatment in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are accumulating but clinical studies are lacking. This retrospective study assessed tolerability and efficacy of cannabidiol-rich cannabis, in 60 children with ASD and severe behavioral problems (age = 11.8 ± 3.5, range 5.0–17.5; 77% low functioning; 83% boys). Efficacy was assessed using the Caregiver Global Impression of Change scale. Adverse events included sleep disturbances (14%) irritability (9%) and loss of appetite (9%). One girl who used higher tetrahydrocannabinol had a transient serious psychotic event which required treatment with an antipsychotic. Following the cannabis treatment, behavioral outbreaks were much improved or very much improved in 61% of patients. This preliminary study supports feasibility of CBD-based cannabis trials in children with ASD.
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AA: Study conception and design; acquisition, analysis and interpretation of data; drafted manuscript; critically revised manuscript and gave final approval. CH and LA: Study conception; interpretation of data; critically revised manuscript and gave final approval. WN: Study design; acquisition of data; critically revised manuscript and gave final approval. EH: Study design; acquisition, analysis and interpretation of data; drafted manuscript; critically revised manuscript and gave final approval.
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Aran, A., Cassuto, H., Lubotzky, A. et al. Brief Report: Cannabidiol-Rich Cannabis in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Severe Behavioral Problems—A Retrospective Feasibility Study. J Autism Dev Disord 49, 1284–1288 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-018-3808-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-018-3808-2