Endocannabinoid markers in autism spectrum disorder: A scoping review of human studies
ReviewHumans
- Design
- Review
- Subjects
- Five human studies eligible for review
- Dose used in the study
- Not stated in the abstract; no treatment was reviewed
- Duration
- Not stated in the abstract
- What was measured
- Evidence of endocannabinoid system alterations in humans with autism spectrum disorder
What the authors reported
This review found:
- Three studies reported significantly lower anandamide in autism than in controls.
- Other reported changes included lower 2-AG, OEA and palmitoylethanolamide, and higher diacylglycerol lipase and monoacylglycerol lipase.
- Findings on CB2 receptor, NAPE-PLD and FAAH were inconsistent across studies.
Limits of this study
A scoping review of only five studies, with possible confounding by medication and psychiatric comorbidity. It reviewed natural palmitoylethanolamide levels, not PEA as a treatment. Funding and conflicts not stated in the abstract.
Source
PubMed 34775294 · doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2021.114256
Entry checked against the abstract on PubMed on 2026-09-22. The dose shown is the dose the researchers used. It is not a recommendation. How to read this page.