Special report: How cannabis could shape future autism therapies
Recent articles
Q&A with Eric Hollander: Cannabis treatments for autism
As cannabis prohibition slowly lifts in the United States, scientists and families in the autism community are increasingly turning to the drug and its constituent compounds to ease autism-related difficulties, including seizures and irritability.
Q&A with Eric Hollander: Cannabis treatments for autism
As cannabis prohibition slowly lifts in the United States, scientists and families in the autism community are increasingly turning to the drug and its constituent compounds to ease autism-related difficulties, including seizures and irritability.
Cannabis and autism, explained
Autistic people and their families are increasingly experimenting with marijuana to try to ease problems such as insomnia, epilepsy and chronic pain — and traits of autism. But there is little evidence for its safety or effectiveness.
Cannabis and autism, explained
Autistic people and their families are increasingly experimenting with marijuana to try to ease problems such as insomnia, epilepsy and chronic pain — and traits of autism. But there is little evidence for its safety or effectiveness.
Researchers urge caution over study linking marijuana to autism
Women who use marijuana while pregnant may be more likely to give birth to an autistic child. But investigators call for a cautious interpretation of the results.
Researchers urge caution over study linking marijuana to autism
Women who use marijuana while pregnant may be more likely to give birth to an autistic child. But investigators call for a cautious interpretation of the results.
Cannabis compound improves sociability in autism mouse model
A single dose of cannabidiol, a component of marijuana, eases seizures and improves learning and sociability in mice with mutations in an autism gene called CDKL5.
Cannabis compound improves sociability in autism mouse model
A single dose of cannabidiol, a component of marijuana, eases seizures and improves learning and sociability in mice with mutations in an autism gene called CDKL5.
Drug agency ruling on marijuana may do little to ease autism research
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency has made it legal for doctors to prescribe an epilepsy drug derived from marijuana. But all other compounds derived from marijuana remain under tight restrictions.
Drug agency ruling on marijuana may do little to ease autism research
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency has made it legal for doctors to prescribe an epilepsy drug derived from marijuana. But all other compounds derived from marijuana remain under tight restrictions.
Federal chokehold on marijuana stymies studies on epilepsy, autism
Scientists' desire for evidence-based medical inquiry runs headlong into an apparently immovable obstacle: the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency.
Federal chokehold on marijuana stymies studies on epilepsy, autism
Scientists' desire for evidence-based medical inquiry runs headlong into an apparently immovable obstacle: the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency.
Drug approval could boost research on marijuana treatment for autism
The United States has approved a compound derived from marijuana as a treatment for certain types of epilepsy. The ruling may spell good news for autism research.
Drug approval could boost research on marijuana treatment for autism
The United States has approved a compound derived from marijuana as a treatment for certain types of epilepsy. The ruling may spell good news for autism research.
Marijuana ingredient sparks social behavior in epilepsy model
Cannabidiol alleviates seizures and restores social ability in a mouse model of Dravet syndrome by soothing overexcitement in the brain.
Marijuana ingredient sparks social behavior in epilepsy model
Cannabidiol alleviates seizures and restores social ability in a mouse model of Dravet syndrome by soothing overexcitement in the brain.
The pioneers: How parents are experimenting with marijuana for autism
Meet the backyard marijuana growers and home chemists who are rushing in where scientists fear to tread.
The pioneers: How parents are experimenting with marijuana for autism
Meet the backyard marijuana growers and home chemists who are rushing in where scientists fear to tread.
Explore more from The Transmitter
INSAR takes ‘intentional break’ from annual summer webinar series
The International Society for Autism Research cited a need to “thoughtfully reimagine” its popular online program before resuming it in 2026.
INSAR takes ‘intentional break’ from annual summer webinar series
The International Society for Autism Research cited a need to “thoughtfully reimagine” its popular online program before resuming it in 2026.
Null and Noteworthy: Neurons tracking sequences don’t fire in order
Instead, neurons encode the position of sequential items in working memory based on when they fire during ongoing brain wave oscillations—a finding that challenges a long-standing theory.
Null and Noteworthy: Neurons tracking sequences don’t fire in order
Instead, neurons encode the position of sequential items in working memory based on when they fire during ongoing brain wave oscillations—a finding that challenges a long-standing theory.
How to teach this paper: ‘Neurotoxic reactive astrocytes are induced by activated microglia,’ by Liddelow et al. (2017)
Shane Liddelow and his collaborators identified the factors that transform astrocytes from their helpful to harmful form. Their work is a great choice if you want to teach students about glial cell types, cell culture, gene expression or protein measurement.
How to teach this paper: ‘Neurotoxic reactive astrocytes are induced by activated microglia,’ by Liddelow et al. (2017)
Shane Liddelow and his collaborators identified the factors that transform astrocytes from their helpful to harmful form. Their work is a great choice if you want to teach students about glial cell types, cell culture, gene expression or protein measurement.