A recent Australian study indicates that a standardised cannabis extract, NTI164, could offer meaningful symptom relief for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder, with minimal side effects, although larger trials are needed to confirm these findings.
A standardised cannabis extract appears to be safe and may offer meaningful symptom relief for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder, according to trial data published in Neurotherapeutics. In the Australian study, 54 young people with moderate to severe autism were given either the proprietary extract, known as NTI164, or a placebo twice a day for eight weeks.
Researchers reported that those taking the extract had lower overall severity scores, with gains also seen in anxiety, emotional regulation, social awareness, communication and cognition. Caregivers said they noticed improvements in family life and quality of life, while side effects were described as mild, non-serious and self-limiting. After the blinded phase, participants who had initially received placebo were allowed to switch to the extract and reported similar benefits.
The findings add to a small but growing body of research on cannabis-based treatments in neurodevelopmental conditions. Earlier open-label work has suggested possible benefits for children with autism, and related studies have also reported improvements in Rett syndrome and paediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome. Even so, the evidence remains limited, and the latest study was relatively small, making larger trials important before any firm conclusions can be drawn.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
