Brief Report: Cannabidiol-Rich Cannabis in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Severe Behavioral Problems-A Retrospective Feasibility Study.
Adi AranHanoch CassutoAsael LubotzkyNadia WattadEsther HazanPublished in: Journal of autism and developmental disorders (2019)
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.
Keyphrases
- autism spectrum disorder
- attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
- mental health
- intellectual disability
- end stage renal disease
- young adults
- chronic kidney disease
- physical activity
- early onset
- clinical trial
- newly diagnosed
- bipolar disorder
- patient reported outcomes
- depressive symptoms
- replacement therapy
- sleep quality
- subarachnoid hemorrhage
- drug induced
- smoking cessation