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Published in: Journal of Neural Transmission 8/2014

01-08-2014 | Psychiatry and Preclinical Psychiatric Studies - Review article

The role of glutamate and its receptors in autism and the use of glutamate receptor antagonists in treatment

Author: Donald C. Rojas

Published in: Journal of Neural Transmission | Issue 8/2014

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Abstract

Glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain and may be a key neurotransmitter involved in autism. Literature pertaining to glutamate and autism or related disorders (e.g., Fragile X syndrome) is reviewed in this article. Interest in glutamatergic dysfunction in autism is high due to increasing convergent evidence implicating the system in the disorder from peripheral biomarkers, neuroimaging, protein expression, genetics and animal models. Currently, there are no pharmaceutical interventions approved for autism that address glutamate deficits in the disorder. New treatments related to glutamatergic neurotransmission, however, are emerging. In addition, older glutamate-modulating medications with approved indications for use in other disorders are being investigated for re-tasking as treatments for autism. This review presents evidence in support of glutamate abnormalities in autism and the potential for translation into new treatments for the disorder.
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Metadata
Title
The role of glutamate and its receptors in autism and the use of glutamate receptor antagonists in treatment
Author
Donald C. Rojas
Publication date
01-08-2014
Publisher
Springer Vienna
Published in
Journal of Neural Transmission / Issue 8/2014
Print ISSN: 0300-9564
Electronic ISSN: 1435-1463
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00702-014-1216-0

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