ABSTRACT
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by core deficits in social, communication, and motor behaviors. Additional common comorbidities such as anxiety, sleep disturbances, hyperactivity, and self-injurious behavior negatively impact quality of life. The severity of core and comorbid ASD symptoms is determined by numerous environmental and genetic factors. Together, these factors impact a range of neurochemical signaling mechanisms that have been shown to participate in the development and expression of ASD symptoms. Cannabis-based medicines represent an uncommon approach in medicinal pharmacology; most pharmaceuticals are developed and optimized in a laboratory setting before being empirically tested in pre-clinical and clinical trials. Common comorbidities in ASD include sleep disorders, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, epilepsy, gastrointestinal inflammation, and propensity to engage in self-injurious behavior. The diverse range of symptoms in ASD presents a unique treatment challenge. Patients may be on additional pharmacotherapies to treat mood-related aspects of ASD.
