Researchers in San Diego launch ‘gold standard’ study to see if CBD reduces behavioral symptoms in autistic children

Researchers at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine are recruiting autistic children ages 7 to 14 for a Phase III clinical trial to determine whether cannabidiol (CBD) reduces severe behavior problems. The clinical trial is a randomized, double blind crossover study, which is considered the “gold standard” for medical research. By design, neither patient nor researcher knows if the patient receives an active drug or placebo. The model reduces bias and provides a better tool for examining cause and effect. CBD has been found to modulate nerve cell messages in regions of the brain regulating anxiety, executive function, and behavior — challenges that can be severe in autistic children, and limit their ability to learn or socialize. We at Asterra Labs are gratified to see more researchers conducting studies like this one that can withstand the scrutiny of peer review and help advance evidence-based medicine. UC San Diego researchers are recruiting child participants from around the greater San Diego area, since onsite testing such as MRI scans and electroencephalograms are involved. To learn more, click here.