CANNABINOID DERIVATIVES AND PHARMACOLOGICAL TREATMENT IN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

The general objective of this study is to analyze the efficacy and safety of medicinal cannabis in the treatment of individuals with TEA. Specifically, the study aims to: identify and analyze clinical studies that investigated the use of cannabis or its derivatives in patients with ASD; evaluate the observed therapeutic effects, including the reduction of symptoms characteristic of TEA; and examine the potential adverse effects associated with the use of cannabis in individuals with TEA. The research was conducted through a bibliographic search in online sources, specifically in the Scientific Electronic Library Online (SCIELO), Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS), and Virtual Health Library (BVS) databases. Thus, the data collection focused on articles published between 2019 and 2024, ensuring that the selected studies represented the most recent research on the topic. The following Health Sciences Descriptors (DeCS) were used for the search: autism spectrum disorder; cannabidiol; medicinal use. By identifying and reviewing clinical studies that investigated the use of cannabis or its derivatives, it was possible to observe that a significant portion of the scientific literature points to beneficial therapeutic effects, especially in reducing characteristic symptoms of TEA, such as repetitive behaviors and communication difficulties. However, these findings are still limited and lack greater scientific robustness to consolidate definitive conclusions about the efficacy of the treatment.