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PMID: 26443675 Published · ppublish English Journal Article Review Systematic Review

Pharmacological Modulation of GABA Function in Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Systematic Review of Human Studies.

Journal of autism and developmental disorders ·Vol. 46 ·No. 3 ·2016-03-00 ·Pages 825-39

Brondino N, Fusar-Poli L, Panisi C, Damiani S, Barale F, Politi P

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorders are an emerging health problem worldwide, but little is known about their pathogenesis. It has been hypothesized that autism may result from an imbalance between excitatory glutamatergic and inhibitory GABAergic pathways. Commonly used medications such as valproate, acamprosate, and arbaclofen may act on the GABAergic system and be a potential treatment for people with ASD. The present systematic review aimed at evaluating the state-of-the-art of clinical trials of GABA modulators in autism. To date there is insufficient evidence to suggest the use of these drugs in autistic subjects, even if data are promising. Of note, short-term use of all the reviewed medications appears to be safe. Future well designed trials are needed to elucidate these preliminary findings.

Keywords
Autism spectrum disorder Clinical trials GABA Systematic review
MeSH Terms
Autism Spectrum Disorder/drug therapy,metabolism GABA Modulators/pharmacology,therapeutic use Humans gamma-Aminobutyric Acid/metabolism
Chemicals
GABA Modulators gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
Authors & Affiliations
6 authors, click to expand affiliations / ORCID
Brondino Natascia
Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Bassi 21, 27100, Pavia, Italy. [email protected].
Fusar-Poli Laura
Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Bassi 21, 27100, Pavia, Italy.
Panisi Cristina
Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Bassi 21, 27100, Pavia, Italy.
Damiani Stefano
Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Bassi 21, 27100, Pavia, Italy.
Barale Francesco
Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Bassi 21, 27100, Pavia, Italy.
Politi Pierluigi
Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Bassi 21, 27100, Pavia, Italy.
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Article Info
Journal
Journal of autism and developmental disorders
Abbr.
J Autism Dev Disord
ISSN
1573-3432
DOI
10.1007/s10803-015-2619-y
Email
[email protected]
Published
2016-03-00
Pages
825-39
Language
English
Region
United States
NLM ID
7904301
Subset
IM
External Links
PubMed source DOI: 10.1007/s10803-015-2619-y View journal details
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