A pediatric patient with autism spectrum disorder and epilepsy using cannabinoid extracts as complementary therapy: a ca
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(2020) 14:162
CASE REPORT
Open Access
A pediatric patient with autism spectrum disorder and epilepsy using cannabinoid extracts as complementary therapy: a case report Juliana Andrea Ponton1* , Kim Smyth2, Elias Soumbasis1, Sergio Andres Llanos1, Mark Lewis1, Wilhelm August Meerholz1 and Robert Lawrence Tanguay1
Abstract Background: The pharmacological treatment for autism spectrum disorders is often poorly tolerated and has traditionally targeted associated conditions, with limited benefit for the core social deficits. We describe the novel use of a cannabidiol-based extract that incidentally improved core social deficits and overall functioning in a patient with autism spectrum disorder, at a lower dose than has been previously reported in autism spectrum disorder. Case presentation: The parents of a 15-year-old boy, of South African descent, with autism spectrum disorder, selective mutism, anxiety, and controlled epilepsy, consulted a medical cannabis physician to trial cannabis extract to replace seizure medications. Incidentally, at a very low cannabidiol-based extract dose, he experienced unanticipated positive effects on behavioral symptoms and core social deficits. Conclusion: This case report provides evidence that a lower than previously reported dose of a phytocannabinoid in the form of a cannabidiol-based extract may be capable of aiding in autism spectrum disorder-related behavioral symptoms, core social communication abilities, and comorbid anxiety, sleep difficulties, and weight control. Further research is needed to elucidate the clinical role and underlying biological mechanisms of action of cannabidiolbased extract in patients with autism spectrum disorder. Keywords: Autism, Cannabidiol extract, Phytocannabinoids, Complementary treatment
Background Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is characterized by deficits in two major domains: restrictive, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities; and deficits in social communication and interaction [1, 2]. ASD is associated with a higher incidence of comorbid conditions including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, gastrointestinal * Correspondence: [email protected] 1 Caleo Health, Suite 200, 1402 8th Ave N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1B9, Canada Full list of author information is available at the end of the article
disturbances, motor impairments, and epilepsy. Symptoms appear in early childhood and vary in severity leading to a broad range of clinical manifestations [2]. The pathogenesis of ASD is not completely understood [3]. Given its complexity and diverse clinical manifestations, it is believed that the etiopathogenesis of ASD is a combination of genetic, epigenetic, neurobiological, diet, and other environmental factors [4]. Hundreds of genes (NLGN, SHANK3, ZNF8034A, and UNC13A) [5, 6] have been linked to ASD, most of which are closely related to the development of the nervous system [1].
© The Author(s). 2020 Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons At
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