Cannabinoid treatment impacts adaptive behavior in autism patients and caregivers' mental health: A prospective real-life cohort study

Abstract

Introduction: Pharmacological interventions for behavioral symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are limited and recent studies point out benefits with the use of cannabinoids.

Method: This longitudinal observational study investigates ASD symptoms after 3 months of starting cannabidiol (CBD)-rich extract therapy and it's impact on the mental health of caregivers. Assessment was based on clinical and socioeconomic questionnaire, Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC), Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) and Vineland 3 Scale. The Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) was applied to evaluate caregiver's health.

Results: Sixteen patients with ASD who received cannabinoid treatment (CBD group) and seventeen patients with ASD without cannabinoid treatment (control group). CBD group was characterized as severe autism, ATEC total (SD) 85.5 ± 34.00, while controls as moderate, ATEC total (SD) 58.6 ± 25.53 (p = 0.047). After 3 months of treatment, CBD group showed a reduction in maladaptive behavior - internalizing (Vineland 3) (p = 0.008), and their caregivers a reduction in symptoms of Interpersonal Sensitivity (BSI) (p = 0.038), Global Severity Index (BSI) (p = 0.025) and Positive Symptom Distress Index (BSI) (p = 0.007), indicating reduction on mental health symptoms. For the control group, after 3 months there was a significant increase in scores for Daily Living Activities (Vineland 3) (p = 0.031) and Socialization (ATEC) (p = 0.037).

Conclusion: This study suggests that therapy with cannabidiol (CBD)-rich extract in severe ASD may have positive effects on anxious and depressive symptoms, potentially positively impacting on the mental health of their caregivers.

Keywords: Adaptive behavior; Autism; Cannabinoids; Caregivers.