scholarly journals An Update on Psychopharmacological Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramkumar Aishworiya ◽  
Tatiana Valica ◽  
Randi Hagerman ◽  
Bibiana Restrepo
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Behavioral Interventions ◽  
Fragile X ◽  
Genetic Disorder ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Psychopharmacological Treatment ◽  
Targeted Treatments ◽  
Genetic Mechanisms ◽  
New Treatments

AbstractWhile behavioral interventions remain the mainstay of treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), several potential targeted treatments addressing the underlying neurophysiology of ASD have emerged in the last few years. These are promising for the potential to, in future, become part of the mainstay treatment in addressing the core symptoms of ASD. Although it is likely that the development of future targeted treatments will be influenced by the underlying heterogeneity in etiology, associated genetic mechanisms influencing ASD are likely to be the first targets of treatments and even gene therapy in the future for ASD. In this article, we provide a review of current psychopharmacological treatment in ASD including those used to address common comorbidities of the condition and upcoming new targeted approaches in autism management. Medications including metformin, arbaclofen, cannabidiol, oxytocin, bumetanide, lovastatin, trofinetide, and dietary supplements including sulforophane and N-acetylcysteine are discussed. Commonly used medications to address the comorbidities associated with ASD including atypical antipsychotics, serotoninergic agents, alpha-2 agonists, and stimulant medications are also reviewed. Targeted treatments in Fragile X syndrome (FXS), the most common genetic disorder leading to ASD, provide a model for new treatments that may be helpful for other forms of ASD.

scholarly journals Identifying and measuring the common elements of naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions for autism spectrum disorder: Development of the NDBI-Fi

Autism ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (8) ◽  
pp. 2285-2297
Author(s):  
Kyle M Frost ◽  
Jessica Brian ◽  
Grace W Gengoux ◽  
Antonio Hardan ◽  
Sarah R Rieth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Behavioral Intervention ◽  
Behavioral Interventions ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Common Elements ◽  
Intervention Science ◽  
Intervention Models ◽  
The Common ◽  
Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Intervention

Naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions for young children with autism spectrum disorder share key elements. However, the extent of similarity and overlap in techniques among naturalistic developmental behavioral intervention models has not been quantified, and there is no standardized measure for assessing the implementation of their common elements. This article presents a multi-stage process which began with the development of a taxonomy of elements of naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions. Next, intervention experts identified the common elements of naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions using quantitative methods. An observational rating scheme of those common elements, the eight-item NDBI-Fi, was developed. Finally, preliminary analyses of the reliability and the validity of the NDBI-Fi were conducted using archival data from randomized controlled trials of caregiver-implemented naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions, including 87 post-intervention caregiver–child interaction videos from five sites, as well as 29 pre–post video pairs from two sites. Evaluation of the eight-item NDBI-Fi measure revealed promising psychometric properties, including evidence supporting adequate reliability, sensitivity to change, as well as concurrent, convergent, and discriminant validity. Results lend support to the utility of the NDBI-Fi as a measure of caregiver implementation of common elements across naturalistic developmental behavioral intervention models. With additional validation, this unique measure has the potential to advance intervention science in autism spectrum disorder by providing a tool which cuts across a class of evidence-based interventions. Lay abstract Naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions for young children with autism spectrum disorder share key elements. However, the extent of similarity between programs within this class of evidence-based interventions is unknown. There is also currently no tool that can be used to measure the implementation of their common elements. This article presents a multi-stage process which began with defining all intervention elements of naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions. Next, intervention experts identified the common elements of naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions using a survey. An observational rating scheme of those common elements, the eight-item NDBI-Fi, was developed. We evaluated the quality of the NDBI-Fi using videos from completed trials of caregiver-implemented naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions. Results showed that the NDBI-Fi measure has promise; it was sensitive to change, related to other similar measures, and demonstrated adequate agreement between raters. This unique measure has the potential to advance intervention science in autism spectrum disorder by providing a tool to measure the implementation of common elements across naturalistic developmental behavioral intervention models. Given that naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions have numerous shared strategies, this may ease clinicians’ uncertainty about choosing the “right” intervention package. It also suggests that there may not be a need for extensive training in more than one naturalistic developmental behavioral intervention. Future research should determine whether these common elements are part of other treatment approaches to better understand the quality of services children and families receive as part of usual care.

scholarly journals Local Protein Translation and RNA Processing of Synaptic Proteins in Autism Spectrum Disorder

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 2811
Author(s):  
Yuyoung Joo ◽  
David R. Benavides
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Fragile X ◽  
Single Gene ◽  
Protein Translation ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Repetitive Behaviors ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Synaptic Proteins ◽  
Local Translation ◽  
Translation Control

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heritable neurodevelopmental condition associated with impairments in social interaction, communication and repetitive behaviors. While the underlying disease mechanisms remain to be fully elucidated, dysfunction of neuronal plasticity and local translation control have emerged as key points of interest. Translation of mRNAs for critical synaptic proteins are negatively regulated by Fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), which is lost in the most common single-gene disorder associated with ASD. Numerous studies have shown that mRNA transport, RNA metabolism, and translation of synaptic proteins are important for neuronal health, synaptic plasticity, and learning and memory. Accordingly, dysfunction of these mechanisms may contribute to the abnormal brain function observed in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In this review, we summarize recent studies about local translation and mRNA processing of synaptic proteins and discuss how perturbations of these processes may be related to the pathophysiology of ASD.

Assessment and Treatment of Selective Mutism in a Child With Autism Spectrum Disorder

2020 ◽  
pp. 153465012098345
Author(s):  
Mirela Cengher ◽  
Joy C. Clayborne ◽  
Adrianna E. Crouch ◽  
Julia T. O’Connor
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
Environmental Variables ◽  
Behavioral Interventions ◽  
Selective Mutism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Assessment And Treatment

Over 60% of children diagnosed with selective mutism are also diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Previous research established that behavioral interventions are effective at increasing speech in children with both diagnoses. However, few studies conducted assessments to determine environmental variables that inhibit speech, and such assessments are necessary for the development of effective and efficient treatments. This case study describes an assessment that evaluated the function(s) of selective mutism. The results confirmed that the participant did not talk to avoid social interaction and that mutism occurred primarily in the presence of multiple, unfamiliar people. Our first treatment focused on increasing tolerance for social interaction, demonstrated by an increase in speech production in the presence of unfamiliar people. Our second treatment focused on increasing qualitative aspects of the participant’s speech (i.e., both responses and initiations). Finally, we taught the participant’s parents to implement the treatment in naturalistic settings, and the participant demonstrated generalization of treatment effects across people and settings. Implications for clinical practice and future research are discussed.

scholarly journals Caregiver-mediated approaches to managing challenging behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorder

2013 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 225-233
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Behavioral Interventions ◽  
Challenging Behaviors ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Adolescents With Asd

A significant proportion of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are referred to mental health centers due to the presence of challenging behaviors. Because challenging behaviors in children and adolescents with ASD often result from underlying social and communication difficulties and comorbid anxiety, traditional caregiver-mediated behavior intervention techniques developed for children with disruptive behavior disorders may need to be adapted for this population. Behavioral interventions that target communication skills, social skills, anxiety, and sensory responsiveness in children with ASD may be needed. Notably, while best practice necessitates the involvement of caregivers in treating children and adolescents with ASD, few randomized control studies have examined the effectiveness of caregiver-implemented interventions in reducing challenging behaviors. This review summarizes the current literature with regard to caregiver-mediated behavioral interventions for children with ASD, and suggests areas for intervention development and research.

Early intervention of Autism Spectrum Disorder: translating research into practice

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (01) ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Preeti Kandasamy ◽  
Harshini Manohar
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Early Intervention ◽  
Behavioral Interventions ◽  
Health Care Policy ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Treatment Modalities ◽  
Training Of Trainers

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder, with increasing prevalence globally. Early intervention has been shown to improve the core deficits and result in a favorable outcome in children with ASD. Various interventional methods, novel mechanisms, and approaches are being widely researched. Though accelerating interventional research in ASD is observed globally, evidence from Indian setting is sparse. Given the uniqueness of cultural, socio-economic conditions, population statistics, existing health care and referral system, it is pivotal to develop and test interventional methods that are applicable and acceptable to the indigenous population. This paper reviews the currently available evidence-based treatment modalities in the Indian settings, with a specific focus on the behavioral interventions. Early diagnosis is seldom seen to translate into early intervention. In the background of the existing challenges, strategies to translate research into practice in terms of developing sustainable methods of service delivery, capacity building, training of trainers, need for liaison between experts and role of health care policy makers are discussed. Improving awareness among parents, medical professionals and stakeholders is the first step forward, towards translating research into practice.

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