title: Pharmacological Modulation of GABA Function in Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Systematic Review of Human Studies.
abstract: Autism spectrum disorders are an emerging health problem worldwide, but little is known about their pathogenesis. It has been hypothesized that autism may result from an imbalance between excitatory glutamatergic and inhibitory GABAergic pathways. Commonly used medications such as valproate, acamprosate, and arbaclofen may act on the GABAergic system and be a potential treatment for people with ASD. The present systematic review aimed at evaluating the state-of-the-art of clinical trials of GABA modulators in autism. To date there is insufficient evidence to suggest the use of these drugs in autistic subjects, even if data are promising. Of note, short-term use of all the reviewed medications appears to be safe. Future well designed trials are needed to elucidate these preliminary findings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Bassi 21, 27100, Pavia, Italy. natascia.brondino@libero.it.
authors.forename: Natascia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Brondino
authors.affiliation: Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Bassi 21, 27100, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fusar-Poli
authors.affiliation: Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Bassi 21, 27100, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Panisi
authors.affiliation: Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Bassi 21, 27100, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Damiani
authors.affiliation: Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Bassi 21, 27100, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Barale
authors.affiliation: Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Bassi 21, 27100, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Pierluigi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Politi
mesh_terms: D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D018757:GABA Modulators / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D018757:GABA Modulators; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
keywords: Autism spectrum disorder; Clinical trials; GABA; Systematic review