Endocannabinoid system dysregulation from acetaminophen use may lead to autism spectrum disorder: Could cannabinoid treatment be efficacious?

Stephen Schultz, Georgianna G. Gould, Nicola Antonucci, Anna Lisa Brigida, Dario Siniscalco

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

Persistent deficits in social communication and interaction, and restricted, repetitive pat-terns of behavior, interests or activities, are the core items characterizing autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Strong inflammation states have been reported to be associated with ASD. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) may be involved in ASD pathophysiology. This complex network of lipid signaling pathways comprises arachidonic acid and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol-derived compounds, their G-protein-coupled receptors (cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2) and the associated enzymes. Alterations of the ECS have been reported in both the brain and the immune system of ASD subjects. ASD children show low EC tone as indicated by low blood levels of endocannabinoids. Acetaminophen use has been reported to be associated with an increased risk of ASD. This drug can act through the ECS to produce analgesia. It may be that acetaminophen use in children increases the risk for ASD by interfering with the ECS.This mini-review article summarizes the current knowledge on this topic.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number1845
JournalMolecules
Volume26
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - 2021

Keywords

  • Acetaminophen
  • Autism
  • Endocannabinoid system
  • Endocannabinoids

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Drug Discovery
  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Chemistry (miscellaneous)
  • Molecular Medicine
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
  • Pharmaceutical Science
  • Organic Chemistry

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