APLICABILIDADE DO CANABIDIOL NO TRATAMENTO DO TRANSTORNO DO ESPECTRO AUTISTA

Abstract

Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD), defined as a pervasive developmental disorder that manifests in early childhood, is characterized by deficits in interaction and social communication and stereotyped, restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior, in which it affects a significant number of children and their families. In addition, there is no definitive treatment instituted for autism, thus, the purpose of pharmacological interventions refers to the relief of its specific symptoms. Remarkable studies suggest that the applicability of Cannabidiol (CBD), the predominant active ingredient of the Cannabis sativa plant, in the treatment of ASD may be a promising therapeutic resource to alleviate the signs and comorbidities of the disorder. Evidenced through a bibliographical research, based on books and scientific articles of national and international origin, in the English and Portuguese languages ​​of the last 20 years, this article aims to present a general analysis of therapeutic proposals regarding the use of CBD as a therapy alternative in TEA, elucidating its mechanism of action. In summary, the results show that CBD-rich cannabis extract significantly improves some diagnostic criteria for ASD, as well as coexisting features in the disorder, in addition to few side effects. However, it appears that additional large-scale controlled studies with homogeneous samples are needed to ensure the effectiveness of its use.