GW Pharmaceuticals mounts autism study

GW Pharmaceuticals has partnered with New York's Montefiore Medical Center to study the efficacy of cannabidivarin (CBDV) on irritability and repetitive behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorders.

Dr. Eric Hollander, Director of the Anxiety and Depression Program at Montefiore Hospital, hopes CBDV can treat autism because of its effectiveness in treating epilepsy. Hollander said other studies have shown that antiepileptic drugs «decrease electrical activity [and] some of the disruptive behaviors, or irritability, improve.»

In animal models similar to autism, CBDV «had significant effects on social functioning, reducing seizures, increasing cognitive function and reducing compulsive or repetitive behaviors».

A recent Israeli study showed improvement in 90% patients with autism after CBD treatment.

GW Pharmaceuticals already markets two cannabinoid-based products: Sativex, a mouth spray to relieve spasticity in multiple sclerosis, and Epidiolex, a CBD oil to treat epilepsy in Dravet and Lenox-Gastaut syndromes. Last week, Epidiolex received its European marketing authorization, and last year that linked to the US market. GW Pharmaceuticals produces and processes its cannabis in the UK.

The autism-related, double-blind study was launched in April and will incorporate 100 participants aged between 5 and 18 for 12 weeks of treatment until June 2021, with results expected in September 2021.