Cannabis extract can help improve behavior in autistic children: study

By Stephen Beech

Cannabis extract could reduce symptoms in autistic children and teenagers, according to "promising" new research.

Cannabidiol, known as CBD, can lead to "meaningful benefits" and improve the behavior of children and teenagers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), say scientists.

ASD affects around one in 100 youngsters around the world with symptoms including difficulty expressing emotions as well as repetitive behavior and routines.

Researchers analyzed previous trials of the efficiency and safety of CBD in children and adolescents with ASD.

Three studies were used, involving a total of 276 participants with an average age of 10.5.

CBD cannabis extract use showed "moderate improvements" in social responsiveness and "small yet notable" reductions in disruptive behaviors and anxiety, according to the findings.

It also "significantly enhanced" social responsiveness, reduced disruptive behavior and alleviated anxiety while also improving sleep quality.

The researchers said the use of CBD cannabis extract also has a "favorable" safety profile as it did not increase adverse events compared to a placebo.

There were no significant differences between adverse events in CBD cannabis extract compared to a placebo

Lead investigator Lara Cappelletti Beneti Branco, of the University of São Paulo, Brazil, said: “The global population prevalence of ASD diagnosis amongst children and adolescents is growing, but many treatment pathways are not effective.

"It is promising to see the effect of CBD cannabis extract on the study participants.

"However, there still needs to be considerable focus on further research with larger trials to clarify its efficacy and safety in managing ASD.”

The findings were presented at the European Congress of Psychiatry in Madrid, Spain.

Dr. Geert Dom, President of the European Psychiatric Association (EPA), welcomed the study.

He said: “ASD can be extremely frustrating for all involved; parents of children and adolescents with the disorder, the treating clinicians and of course the children and adolescents themselves.

"A large part of this frustration is down to finding a viable treatment option that works to reduce symptoms."

He added: "It is with delight that we see the results of this meta-analysis and we hope to see further research into this so we can move towards a solution to the unmet need within this community”.