02/18/2026 | Leandro Maia | Sechat

https://sechat.com.br/noticia/uece-lidera-estudo-com-cannabis-em-criancas-com-tea 

Clinical research in Ceará and São Paulo will evaluate the efficacy and safety of a cannabidiol-rich formulation in 120 children with autism.

The State University of Ceará (Uece) is coordinating a clinical trial in Ceará that will evaluate the use of a medicinal cannabis-based formulation in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The study will be conducted in partnership with GreenCare Pharma and educational institutions in São Paulo, involving 120 participants divided equally between the two states.

In Ceará, the research will be conducted by the Laboratory of Neuroscience and Translational Innovation (Lanit) and the Research and Studies Group in Neuroinflammation and Neurotoxicology (Genit), both linked to the Higher Institute of Biomedical Sciences (ISCB) of Uece. The coordination is by Professor Gislei Aragão.

Clinical research with methodological gold standard
The study adopts the model considered the gold standard in clinical research: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. The objective is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of different doses of a cannabidiol-rich formulation in the management of disruptive behaviors associated with ASD, such as agitation, aggression, and restlessness.

This methodological design ensures greater reliability of the results, reducing biases and ensuring scientific rigor in the data analysis.

Alternative to conventional treatments
Currently, pharmacological options for these symptoms mainly include antipsychotics, which can cause significant adverse effects, such as weight gain, excessive sedation, and metabolic changes.

The study aims to investigate a therapeutic alternative with the potential for greater safety and better tolerability, expanding the possibilities for clinical management of children with ASD.

Multiprofessional follow-up and rigorous monitoring
The children will be followed by a multidisciplinary team, including neuropediatricians and child psychiatrists, for three months. Weekly clinical evaluations and laboratory tests are planned before and after the intervention.

The participant selection phase should take place between the second half of 2026 and the first half of 2027, in partnership with the Institute for Early Childhood (Iprede).

Possible impact on the SUS (Brazilian Public Health System)
If the results confirm efficacy and safety, the project could support the future incorporation of the product into the Unified Health System (SUS), expanding access to treatments based on scientific evidence.

According to the researchers, the data will be published regardless of the outcomes, reinforcing the commitment to ethical rigor, transparency, and scientific independence.