Date of Award

Spring 2023

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Biology; College of Arts & Sciences

First Advisor

John R. Hoffman

Second Advisor

Kylee Shea

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability. The symptoms include a lack of social skills, a need for repetitive patterns of life, difficulty in communication, speaking deficits and numerous other symptoms. While the specific cause is unknown, there is much research being done on mechanisms including dysregulations of the immune system, endocannabinoid system, and overall brain (Nez Govorova 2021, Pol 2021). The Endocannabinoid system is a recently discovered branch of the nervous system composed of endocannabinoids which are produced naturally in the body; lipid-based neurotransmitters that bind to cannabinoid receptors (CBRs) and cannabinoid receptor proteins that are expressed throughout the central nervous system but also found in the lungs, liver, kidneys, and immune system. It regulates homeostasis of the central and peripheral mechanisms of food intake, lipids synthesis and metabolism in muscle cells (Alexandre 2019, Dasran 2022, Su 2021, Finn 2102). Endogenous Cannabinoids are chemical compounds that are produced by the body and act on cannabinoid receptors and alter neurotransmitter release and/or activity in the endocannabinoid system in the brain. Exogenous Cannabinoids such as THC and CBD are extracted from the cannabis plant. CBD has a relaxing effect and THC has a psychoactive, euphoric effect. It has been found that patients with Autism have a lower CB1 receptor expression which releases neurotransmitters as their brain is not releasing enough endogenous cannabinoids to bind to CB1 receptors and results in a lack of homeostasis. This thesis will explore the Endocannabinoid system and target the receptors using mixtures of cannabinoids to alleviate symptoms and improve the overall life for Autistic Spectrum Disorder Patients. Current investigations explore multiple mouse models and use different cannabinoids to treat ASD-like symptoms including CBDV, CBD and THC. Using CBDV in VPA mouse models was found to reduce the symptoms of ASD including excessive grooming time and increased sociability (Zamberletti 2019). These help to decrease repetitive behavior and increase social interactions which were dysregulated in ASD models. Mouse studies have shown that the benefits of a tincture of CBD and THC with a low ratio of THC are significant, including regulating CB1 receptors, eliminating symptoms of ASD for ASD patients (Poleg 2021). In human studies there was a total alleviation of epilepsy for ASD patients with use of CBD:THC mixture and a decrease of at least one or more symptoms in each patient (Fleury-Teixeria, 2019).

Download

Share

COinS
 

The Positive Effects of Medical Cannabinoids on the Dysregulated Endocannabinoid System in Autism Spectrum Disorder Patients

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability. The symptoms include a lack of social skills, a need for repetitive patterns of life, difficulty in communication, speaking deficits and numerous other symptoms. While the specific cause is unknown, there is much research being done on mechanisms including dysregulations of the immune system, endocannabinoid system, and overall brain (Nez Govorova 2021, Pol 2021). The Endocannabinoid system is a recently discovered branch of the nervous system composed of endocannabinoids which are produced naturally in the body; lipid-based neurotransmitters that bind to cannabinoid receptors (CBRs) and cannabinoid receptor proteins that are expressed throughout the central nervous system but also found in the lungs, liver, kidneys, and immune system. It regulates homeostasis of the central and peripheral mechanisms of food intake, lipids synthesis and metabolism in muscle cells (Alexandre 2019, Dasran 2022, Su 2021, Finn 2102). Endogenous Cannabinoids are chemical compounds that are produced by the body and act on cannabinoid receptors and alter neurotransmitter release and/or activity in the endocannabinoid system in the brain. Exogenous Cannabinoids such as THC and CBD are extracted from the cannabis plant. CBD has a relaxing effect and THC has a psychoactive, euphoric effect. It has been found that patients with Autism have a lower CB1 receptor expression which releases neurotransmitters as their brain is not releasing enough endogenous cannabinoids to bind to CB1 receptors and results in a lack of homeostasis. This thesis will explore the Endocannabinoid system and target the receptors using mixtures of cannabinoids to alleviate symptoms and improve the overall life for Autistic Spectrum Disorder Patients. Current investigations explore multiple mouse models and use different cannabinoids to treat ASD-like symptoms including CBDV, CBD and THC. Using CBDV in VPA mouse models was found to reduce the symptoms of ASD including excessive grooming time and increased sociability (Zamberletti 2019). These help to decrease repetitive behavior and increase social interactions which were dysregulated in ASD models. Mouse studies have shown that the benefits of a tincture of CBD and THC with a low ratio of THC are significant, including regulating CB1 receptors, eliminating symptoms of ASD for ASD patients (Poleg 2021). In human studies there was a total alleviation of epilepsy for ASD patients with use of CBD:THC mixture and a decrease of at least one or more symptoms in each patient (Fleury-Teixeria, 2019).