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Abstract Details

Medical Cannabis in the Treatment of Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Child Neurology and Developmental Neurology
P8 - Poster Session 8 (8:00 AM-9:00 AM)
5-002

Evaluate efficacy and safety of medical cannabis (MC) for pain and epilepsy in patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

MC is approved for treatment of ASD in 14 states (not NY). In NY it is approved for epilepsy and pain. Common challenges with ASD include aggression, self-injurious behavior (SIB), elopement, pain, and epilepsy. Some individuals can also have severe behavior symptoms. Most of these patients try multiple medications with concerning side effects (SE). This study reports a case series of patients with ASD treated with MC.
Retrospective chart review of 20 patients with ASD (6 with epilepsy/14 with pain) on MC treatment included written evaluation by patient or caregiver. Autism/Caregiver Global Impression of Change (ACGIC) Scale measuring: 1.Quality of life (QOL) 2.Activity limitations 3.Symptoms 4.Mood. A 10-point Likert Scale measured: 1.Chronic pain change 2.Epilepsy change 3.Secondary efficacies. MC product information: dosing, route, frequency, dispensary, and cost reported.
  1. Patients with epilepsy had improvement in seizure frequency (p =0.0032) and severity (p=0.0332).
  2. Patients with pain had improvement in degree of overall pain (p<0.0001).
  3. Autism/Caregiver Global Impression of Change (ACGIC) scale revealed improvement in all areas (p<0.0001): quality of life, activity limitations, symptoms, and mood.
  4. Secondary effects: patients experienced improvement in sleep (p<0.0001), mood (p<0.0001), and aggression towards self and/or others (p<0.0001). Improvement was also seen in patient communication abilities (p=0.0001) and attention/concentration (p=0.0002).
  5. Each patient tried an average of 6.4 other medications. 50% of patients discontinued or reduced the use of other medications.
  6. 3 patients reported mild adverse SE from MC; no SE caused discontinuation of MC.

There is a paucity of research on the use of MC treatment with ASD. This study supports previous research for MC treatment of pain and epilepsy while exploring indications for behavioral issues and QOL improvement in ASD patients.
Authors/Disclosures
Jennifer W. McVige, MD, FÂ鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ (Dent Neurological Institute)
PRESENTER 		Dr. McVige has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Consultant for Abbvie. Dr. McVige has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for AbbVie. Dr. McVige has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for UCB. Dr. McVige has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Neurelis. The institution of Dr. McVige has received research support from Amgen. The institution of Dr. McVige has received research support from Eli Lily. The institution of Dr. McVige has received research support from Biohaven/Pfizer. The institution of Dr. McVige has received research support from Lundbeck. The institution of Dr. McVige has received research support from Dent Family Foundation. The institution of Dr. McVige has received research support from Abbvie. The institution of Dr. McVige has received research support from Teva. The institution of Dr. McVige has received research support from Theranica. Dr. McVige has a non-compensated relationship as a Neurology Board with UCNS that is relevant to Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ interests or activities. Dr. McVige has a non-compensated relationship as a Board Exam Board Member with ABPN that is relevant to Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ interests or activities.
Virginia A. Headd No disclosure on file
Mohammed Alwahaidy, MD (Upstate medical university) Dr. Alwahaidy has nothing to disclose.
Dylan Lis Mr. Lis has nothing to disclose.
Dilpreet Kaur-Spencer, MD (Madigan Army Medical Center - JBLM) No disclosure on file
Brianna Albert, DO (Boston Children's Hospital) No disclosure on file
Laszlo Mechtler, MD, FEAN, FASN, FAHS, FÂ鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ (Dent Neurologic Institute) Dr. Mechtler has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Impel Pharma. Dr. Mechtler has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Abbvie. Dr. Mechtler has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Consultant for Hyperfine. Dr. Mechtler has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Abbvie. Dr. Mechtler has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as an officer or member of the Board of Directors for Genomate Health. The institution of Dr. Mechtler has received research support from The Harry Dent Family Foundation, Inc. The institution of Dr. Mechtler has received research support from Alpheus medical. The institution of Dr. Mechtler has received research support from Shiratronics. The institution of Dr. Mechtler has received research support from Abbvie Inc. The institution of Dr. Mechtler has received research support from Amgen. The institution of Dr. Mechtler has received research support from Eli Lilly Company. The institution of Dr. Mechtler has received research support from H. Lundbeck HS. The institution of Dr. Mechtler has received research support from Pfizer. The institution of Dr. Mechtler has received research support from Hyperfine. Dr. Mechtler has received personal compensation in the range of $100,000-$499,999 for serving as a Ownership interest with Neurology Practce Consortium GPO. Dr. Mechtler has a non-compensated relationship as a Board member with International Headache Society that is relevant to Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ interests or activities.