A study published in Psychiatry Research identifies a link between maternal cannabis use disorder and an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Study: Exposure to maternal cannabis use disorder and risk of autism spectrum disorder in offspring: A data linkage cohort study. Image Credit: NDAB Creativity / Shutterstock.
com ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction abilities. Current estimates indicate that the global prevalence of ASD is 0.6%, with Australia reporting the highest prevalence of 1.
7%. Multiple factors contribute to the pathogenesis of ASD, including genetics and environmental factors. The use of cannabis has significantly increased over the past two decades due to the legalization of medicinal and recreational cannabis use, as well as shifts in illicit drug policies.
In fact, cannabis has become the most commonly used illicit drug during pregnancy. The highest prevalence of cannabis use during pregnancy has been reported in the United States at 23%. Likewise, recent reports indicate that about 20% of pregnant women use cannabis in Australia.
Previous studies investigating the health outcomes of in-utero exposure to cannabis have found long-lasting effects on neurological development, including ASD. In the current study, scientists investigate the association between maternal cannabis use disorder (CUD) during pre-pregnancy, prenatal, and perinatal periods and the risk of ASD in exp.