The large study published in Molecular Autism (Aran et al., 2019) examined circulating endocannabinoids levels in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
The researchers evaluated 93 children with ASD and 93 age-matched neurotypical peers, comparing several molecules of the endocannabinoid system.
Key findings:
- Children with autism showed significantly lower levels of anandamide (AEA), oleoylethanolamide (OEA) and particularly palmitoylethanolamide (PEA).
- PEA, in particular, is an endogenous molecule with neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties, capable of modulating immune responses and neuronal function.
Why is it relevant?
The endocannabinoid system regulates neuronal communication, emotional balance, and social behavior. The reduced levels of PEA and other molecules observed in this study suggest a possible “endocannabinoid hypofunction” in children with ASD, consistent with findings from animal models.
Future perspectives:
- PEA and its analogues may serve as stratifying biomarkers, useful in identifying clinically relevant subgroups within the autism spectrum.
- PEA emerges as a biological modulator of interest in the study of mechanisms underlying ASD, thanks to its central role in regulating inflammation and neuronal plasticity.
This marks an important step towards a deeper understanding of the ASD neurobiological mechanisms and towards increasingly focused scientific research by Epitech Group’s on the use of PEA – in its unique ultra-micronized active form – in CNS disorders.
* Aran, A., Eylon, M., Harel, M. et al. Lower circulating endocannabinoid levels in children with autism spectrum disorder. Molecular Autism 10, 2 (2019). doi.org/10.1186/s13229-019-0256-6