Editorial: Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)-Searching for the Biological Basis for Behavioral Symptoms and New Therapeutic Targets

This review outlines pharmacologic treatments for the behavioral symptoms associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) in children, adolescents, and adults. Symptom domains include repetitive and stereotyped behaviors, irritability and aggression, hyperactivity and inattention, and social impairment. Medications covered include serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs), mirtazapine, antipsychotics, psychostimulants, atomoxetine, α-2 agonists, D-cycloserine, and memantine. Overall, SRIs are less efficacious and more poorly tolerated in children with ASDs than in adults. Antipsychotics are the most efficacious drugs for the treatment of irritability in ASDs, and may be useful in the treatment of other symptoms. Psychostimulants demonstrate some benefit for the treatment of hyperactivity and inattention in individuals with ASDs, but are less efficacious and associated with more adverse effects compared with individuals with ADHD. D-cycloserine and memantine appear helpful in the treatment of social impairment, although further research is needed.

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5.2 Why Does “Clumsiness” Matter? Motor Impairment, Function, and Emotional Behavioral Symptoms in Autism Spectrum Disorders

Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.jaac.2016.07.146 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 55 (10) ◽

pp. S265

Author(s):

Jennifer McGinley

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽

Motor Impairment ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Behavioral Symptoms ◽

Spectrum Disorders

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The neurobiology of autism spectrum disorders

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2013.02.005 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 29 (1) ◽

pp. 11-19 ◽

Cited By ~ 41

Author(s):

M. Parellada ◽

M.J. Penzol ◽

L. Pina ◽

C. Moreno ◽

E. González-Vioque ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽

Animal Models ◽

Neurodevelopmental Disorders ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Redox Systems ◽

Biological Basis ◽

Comprehensive Search ◽

Physiological Pathways ◽

Spectrum Disorders ◽

Peripheral Samples

AbstractData is progressively and robustly accumulating regarding the biological basis of autism. Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are currently considered a group of neurodevelopmental disorders with onset very early in life and a complex, heterogeneous, multifactorial aetiology. A comprehensive search of the last five years of the Medline database was conducted in order to summarize recent evidence on the neurobiological bases of autism. The main findings on genetic influence, neuropathology, neurostructure and brain networks are summarized. In addition, findings from peripheral samples of subjects with autism and animal models, which show immune, oxidative, mitochondrial dysregulations, are reported. Then, other biomarkers from very different systems associated with autism are reported. Finally, an attempt is made to try and integrate the available evidence, which points to a oligogenetic, multifactorial aetiology that converges in an aberrant micro-organization of the cortex, with abnormal functioning of the synapses and abnormalities in very general physiological pathways (such as inflammatory, immune and redox systems).

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