Zelda Therapeutics Reveals Successful Results Treating Autism with Medical Marijuana
Zelda Therapeutic has sponsored an observation autism trial in Chile, demonstrating successful results for treating the core symptoms of autism with medicinal cannabis extracts that Zelda is planning on taking into clinical trials.
The results demonstrated that in a cohort of 21 patients (median age of 9 years 10 months), cannabis extracts were significantly more effective than conventional medicines used, including atypical antipsychotics, and these extracts were well tolerated by the patients overall.
Harry Karelis, executive chairman for Zelda, commented: "The results from this observational study are very exciting and supports the anecdotal evidence we have, showing the positive effect medicinal cannabis has on treating autism symptoms. Zelda will use this baseline data to design its clinical trials and generate rigorous scientific data that validates the clinical benefit of medicinal cannabis. We hope that in the near future Zelda Therapeutics can provide an alternative treatment for sufferers of this condition which is of major global significance."
Details of the study
Patients in the study were treated over at least a 12-week period and were examined by electroencephalogram (EEG), neuropsychological analysis as well as metabolism and genetic tests.
The patients in the study had not responded well to conventional treatments.
Patients treated with cannabis extracts demonstrated significant improvements in at least one core symptom including social interaction, language or repetitive behaviours in 71.4% of cases and 66.7% of treated patients showing significant general overall improvement.
The trial was managed by leading clinician Dr Gisela Kuester who is a highly regarded neurologist specialising in the diagnosis and treatment of autism.
She also holds the position of Clinical Research Director at Fundación Daya.
Strategic alliance
Zelda has previously outlined its strategic alliance with Chilean non-profit patient advocate group Fundación Daya, to leverage their patient data on using cannabinoid-based therapy to treat autism patients.
The results from this observation trial will assist Zelda in the development of its autism clinical trial.
A submission for ethics approval is being finalized and is expected to be submitted in coming weeks.
Zelda expects the trial will commence within three months of regulatory approvals being obtained and will be conducted over a six to nine-month period.
This article has been republished from materials provided by Zelda Therapeutics. Note: material may have been edited for length and content. For further information, please contact the cited source.
