A quarterly publication of the Autism Research Institute
Winter, 2019 | Number 1, Volume 33
New research from Israel adds to earlier evidence that medical marijuana can reduce symptoms of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in many children.
In the new study, Dana Barchel and colleagues evaluated the effects of oral cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol (constituents of marijuana) administered to 53 children and young adults with ASD for a median duration of 66 days. The researchers report that based on information collected from parents in biweekly telephone interviews, self-injury and rage attacks improved in 67.6% of the children with these symptoms, worsening in 8.8%. Hyperactivity improved in 68.4% of the children with this symptom and worsened in 2.6%. Sleep problems improved in 71.4% of the children with this issue and worsened in 4.7%. Anxiety improved in 47.1% of the children with this symptom and worsened in 23.5%.
The most commonly reported side effects were sleepiness and changes in appetite, which were mild and temporary.
The researchers conclude, “Based on parents’ reports, our findings suggest that cannabidiol may be effective in improving ASD comorbid symptoms. However, CBD efficacy and safety should be further evaluated in children with ASD in large-scale clinical trials.”
In a previous study (see ARRI 32/3, 2018), a separate team of Israeli researchers found that oral treatment with cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol reduced behavior problems and anxiety and improved communication.
“Oral cannabidiol use in children with autism spectrum disorder to treat related symptoms and co-morbidities,” Dana Barchel, Orit Stolar, Tal De-Haan, Tomer Ziv-Baran, Naama Saban, Danny Or Fuchs, Gideon Koren, and Matitiahu Berkovitch, Frontiers in Pharmacology, Vol. 9, January 2019 (online). Address: Matitiahu Berkovitch, [email protected].
