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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Anita Kovács

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Guest Editor

Medical School, Institute of Physiology, University of Pécs, Szigeti Str. 12, P.O. Box 99, 7602 Pécs, Hungary
Interests: stress-related disorders; PTSD; neuropeptides; RFamide peptides; antidepressants; ASD
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Attila Tóth

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Medical School, Institute of Physiology, University of Pécs, Szigeti Str. 12, P.O. Box 99, 7602 Pécs, Hungary
Interests: ASD; electrophysiology; microbiome; bioimpedance spectrum; homeostasis

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In this Special Issue, we aim to present well-known and new therapeutic agents and strategies for the treatment of stress-related disorders, such as posttraumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder and anxiety disorders (also including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as anxiety disorders are the most common comorbid conditions in these patients).

Several types of anxieties can be associated with ASD. ASD and anxiety greatly overlap; however, the reason for this overlap is unclear. Genetic studies reveal that ASD overlaps with other psychiatric illnesses. Research indicates that the neurobiological interactions between anxiety and ASD require comprehensive assessment approaches, modified cognitive behavioral therapy and carefully managed pharmacological interventions.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are the first choice as pharmacological treatment of anxiety disorder in the general population. Depression disorder is a common heterogeneous mental disease that affects all aspects of patients’ lives, as well as people around them. Nowadays, ADs are divided into five classes: SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, MAOIs and atypical ADs with unique mechanisms of action. The development of new drugs and methods for depression treatment is critical. Nowadays, the therapy of anxiety in ASD includes cognitive-behavioral therapy and psychopharmacological treatment.

In this Special Issue, we want to expand the knowledge on antidepressant drugs and their mechanism of action. Pharmacological interventions show promise for typically developing populations, but further research is needed to establish the efficacy of medications for individuals. Because comorbid ASD/anxiety remains a nascent and developing area of study, practitioners are encouraged to publish the latest scientific findings.

The gut-brain axis plays a significant role in the development of behavioral disorders and neurological diseases. Changes in the microbial flora can also be observed in the case of certain neuropsychiatric diseases, such as ASD, schizophrenia, depression, and Parkinson's disease. The conditions characteristic of each disease can be induced by fecal transplantation from a patient in a germ-free model animal experiment. During the treatment of the microbial flora with pro- or pre-biotics, behavioral changes similar to the control can be induced. All this suggests that the modification of the microbial flora can play a significant role in the development of ASD and in its possible treatment later on.

Dr. Anita Kovács
Dr. Attila Tóth
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Pharmaceuticals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

new targets and therapies for stress-related disorders
molecular mechanism of drugs
ASD, PTSD, MDD
antidepressant
depression
animal model for depression
ASD
microbiome
gut-brain axis
brain electrophysiology
neuron activity in ASD

Published Papers (1 paper)

Research

19 pages, 2909 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Clinical and Family Implications of Cannabidiol (CBD)-Dominant Full-Spectrum Phytocannabinoid Extract in Children and Adolescents with Moderate to Severe Non-Syndromic Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): An Observational Study on Neurobehavioral Management

by Jeanne Alves de Souza Mazza, Lisiane Seguti Ferreira, Alice de Faria Martins-Vieira, Doris Day Lopes Beserra, Victor Alves Rodrigues, Renato Malcher-Lopes and Fabio V. Caixeta

Pharmaceuticals 2024, 17(6), 686; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17060686 - 27 May 2024

Viewed by 434

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) encompasses a wide range of neurodevelopmental conditions characterized by deficits in social interaction, communication and behavior. Current pharmacological options are limited and feature significant side effects. In this study, we conducted a retrospective, observational, and cross-sectional cohort study to evaluate the effects of Cannabidiol (CBD)-dominant, full-spectrum cannabis extract, containing Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in a ratio of 33:1 (CBD:THC), on non-syndromic children and adolescents (5–18 years old) with moderate to severe ASD. Thirty volunteers were recruited, underwent neuropsychological evaluations and were treated with individualized doses of CBD-dominant extract. Clinical assessments were conducted by the designated clinician. Additionally, parents or caregivers were independently interviewed to assess perceived treatment effects. We found significant improvements in various symptomatic and non-symptomatic aspects of ASD, with minimal untoward effects, as reported by both clinical assessments and parental perceptions. The observed improvements included increased communicative skills, attention, learning, eye contact, diminished aggression and irritability, and an overall increase in both the patient’s and family’s quality of life. Despite its limitations, our findings suggest that treatment with full-spectrum CBD-dominant extract may be a safe and effective option for core and comorbid symptoms of ASD, and it may also increase overall quality of life for individuals with ASD and their families. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pharmacological Therapies for Stress-Related Disorders and Autism Spectrum Disorder)

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