title: Brief report: acamprosate in fragile X syndrome.
abstract: Glutamatergic dysfunction is implicated in the pathophysiology of fragile X syndrome (FXS). We report on the first trial of acamprosate, a drug with putative mGluR5 antagonism, in three adults with FXS and autism. Medical records describing open-label treatment with acamprosate in 3 patients with FXS and a comorbid diagnosis of autistic disorder were reviewed. In all three patients, acamprosate was associated with improved linguistic communication. Three patients received acamprosate over a mean 21.3 weeks of treatment. All patients showed global clinical benefit as rated with the Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement scale. Marked communication improvement was unexpected and has potential implications for the treatment of FXS, as well as idiopathic autism.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, 702 Barnhill Drive, Room 4300, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA, crericks@iupui.edu
authors.forename: Craig A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Erickson
authors.forename: Jennifer E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Mullett
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: McDougle
mesh_terms: D000077443:Acamprosate; D000293:Adolescent; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003142:Communication; D015897:Comorbidity; D005600:Fragile X Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D064529:Receptor, Metabotropic Glutamate 5; D018094:Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D013654:Taurine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014705:Verbal Behavior; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C578935:GRM5 protein, human; D064529:Receptor, Metabotropic Glutamate 5; D018094:Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate; D013654:Taurine; D000077443:Acamprosate