A natural history study of medical cannabis consumption in pediatric autism in the United States |
| |
| Affiliation: | 1. Center for Clinical Pharmacology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA;2. Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA;3. Biostatistics and Data Management Core, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA;4. Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA;5. Zelira Therapeutics Limited, Perth, Australia;6. Center for Autism Research, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 2716 South Street 5th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19146, USA;7. Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA;1. Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA;2. ImagiRation, Boston, MA 02135, USA;3. Independent researcher, Newton, MA 02459, USA;1. Faculty of Health, University of Canterbury – Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha, Christchurch, New Zealand;2. A Better Start National Science Challenge, New Zealand;3. Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of Otago, New Zealand;4. Mental Health Division, Canterbury District Health Board, New Zealand;5. The Werry Centre, Department of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, New Zealand;6. New Zealand Pharmacovigilance Centre, University of Otago, New Zealand;7. School of Clinical Medicine, Primary Care Clinical Unit, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia;1. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, 150 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 02111, USA;2. Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center/University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, 55 Lake Ave North, Worcester, MA 01655, USA;3. Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 02111, USA;4. Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Department of Health Sciences, Boston University, 635 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA;1. Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health & Science University, United States;2. School of Communication Sciences & Disorders, Pacific University, United States;3. Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, United States;1. Berlin Treatment Center for Mental Health in Developmental Disabilities, Evangelisches Krankenhaus Königin Elisabeth Herzberge, Herzbergstr. 79, 10365 Berlin, Germany;2. Faculty of Life Sciences/Department of Psychology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Rudower Chaussee 18, 12489 Berlin, Germany;3. Division of Clinical-Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Schwendenerstr. 27, 14195 Berlin, Germany |
| |
| Abstract: | BackgroundAutism spectrum disorder is specifically approved for medical cannabis consumption in 20 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and the Territory of Puerto Rico. Despite increased access, there is limited knowledge about who consumes medical cannabis, what they consume, and perceived effectiveness. We addressed these gaps by conducting a natural history study of medical cannabis consumption.MethodChildren and their families engaged with a large pediatric care system were recruited to complete a telephonic study regarding their medical cannabis consumption. All children had to be consuming approved medical cannabis products issued from a state that had legalized medical cannabis for the treatment of ASD or related behaviors (irritability, hyperactivity, anxiety) (N = 89).ResultsThe sample’s ‘level of support’ and gender-ratio reflected the general autism population (~33 % requiring ‘Very Substantial Support’ and ~80 % male). The most common treatment targets were ASD behaviors (repetitive behaviors) and irritability. More children consumed compounds with high cannabidiol (CBD) and low or no tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). While dose did not affect overall perceived effectiveness, compounds with high-levels of CBD and low-levels of THC (CBD-dominant) were perceived as more effective than CBD-only.ConclusionsThis “real world” study revealed that medical cannabis is being used to treat a wide range of behaviors. Our study also suggests that children consume CBD-rich products, and the effectiveness of CBD-dosing may be tied to the inclusion of THC in the compound. Future research should evaluate optimal dosing with a particular focus on the CBD-to-THC ratio. |
| |
| Keywords: | Marijuana Treatment Alternative medicine Children Youth |
| 本文献已被 ScienceDirect 等数据库收录！ |
|
