PRIMARY STUDY
Lower circulating endocannabinoid levels in children with autism spectrum disorder
Key Findings: Researchers found lower serum levels of AEA, PEA, and OEA in children with ASD. Further studies are needed to determine whether circulating endocannabinoid levels can be used as stratification biomarkers that identify clinically significant subgroups within the autism spectrum and if they reflect lower endocannabinoid “tone” in the brain, as found in animal models of ASD.
Type of Study: Meta-analysis
Study Sample Size: 186
Study Result: Inconclusive
Research Location(s): Israel
Year of Pub: 2019
Cannabinoids Studied: Anandamide (AEA), Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase (FAAH), 2-Arachidonoyl Glycerol (2-AG), Monoacylglycerol Lipase (MAGL), Other Related Compounds
Receptors Studied: CB1, CB2, TRPV1, PPAR - Alpha
Citation: Aran A, et al. Lower circulating endocannabinoid levels in children with autism spectrum disorder. Mol Autism. 2019; 10:2. doi: 10.1186/s13229-019-0256-6
Authors: Aran A, Eylon M, Harel M, Polianski L, Nemirovski A, Tepper S, Schnapp A, Cassuto H, Wattad N, Tam J
