title: Pharmacologic treatment of autism.
abstract: Autism is a chronic and lifelong pervasive developmental disorder for which there is yet no effective cure, and medical management remains a major challenge for clinicians. In spite of the possible similarities with conditions that have an established pharmacotherapy, and despite improvements in some associated "problematic behaviors" following the use of available medications, effective medical treatment for the core symptoms involving language and social cognition remains elusive. The purpose of the present article is to review current biologic knowledge about autism in an attempt to correlate clinical trials with known mechanisms of disease. In addition, the need for controlled studies and for the creation of homogeneous subgroups of patients based on clinical and genetic characteristics is emphasized. The application of molecular genetic investigations and pharmacogenetics in the diagnostic work-up of autistic patients can lead to more effective individualized medical care.
authors.affiliation: Research Center for Autism, Associazione Anni Verdi, Via Silvio Sbricoli 8, 00148 Rome, Italy. marktpalermo@virgilio.it
authors.forename: Mark T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Palermo
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Curatolo
mesh_terms: D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D015259:Dopamine Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D010597:Pharmacogenetics; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D015259:Dopamine Agents; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors