Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are developmental disorders that are characterized by deficits in reciprocal social interactions and communication, as well as by the presence of impairing repetitive behaviors and restricted interests. Prior work examining human pathology, and model systems and genetic studies have all led to the current conceptualization of ASD as a disorder of synaptic formation and functioning (a “synapsopathy”). In this regard, glutamate, the major excitatory neurotransmitter in central nervous system synaptic transmission, with roles in learning, memory and synaptic plasticity, is hypothesized to play an important role in the pathophysiology of ASD. Molecules targeting glutamate signaling have been suggested to possess therapeutic potential for ASD treatment. This review focuses on the role of the structure and function of glutamate receptors, describes synaptic cell-adhesion molecule pathways related to glutamate and/or ASD, introduces a rare disease approach in the development of novel drugs for ASD treatment, and reports on glutamate- related clinical trials. We will also present promising new techniques using human-induced pluripotent stem cells, which may afford researchers the ability to study the relationships between clinical phenotypes, cellular responses and glutamate involvement in ASD.
Keywords: Glutamate, autism spectrum disorders, treatment.
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title:Glutamate-Mediated Signaling and Autism Spectrum Disorders: Emerging Treatment Targets
Volume: 20 Issue: 32
Author(s): Pinchen Yang and Chen-Lin Chang
Affiliation:
Keywords: Glutamate, autism spectrum disorders, treatment.
Abstract: Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are developmental disorders that are characterized by deficits in reciprocal social interactions and communication, as well as by the presence of impairing repetitive behaviors and restricted interests. Prior work examining human pathology, and model systems and genetic studies have all led to the current conceptualization of ASD as a disorder of synaptic formation and functioning (a “synapsopathy”). In this regard, glutamate, the major excitatory neurotransmitter in central nervous system synaptic transmission, with roles in learning, memory and synaptic plasticity, is hypothesized to play an important role in the pathophysiology of ASD. Molecules targeting glutamate signaling have been suggested to possess therapeutic potential for ASD treatment. This review focuses on the role of the structure and function of glutamate receptors, describes synaptic cell-adhesion molecule pathways related to glutamate and/or ASD, introduces a rare disease approach in the development of novel drugs for ASD treatment, and reports on glutamate- related clinical trials. We will also present promising new techniques using human-induced pluripotent stem cells, which may afford researchers the ability to study the relationships between clinical phenotypes, cellular responses and glutamate involvement in ASD.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Yang Pinchen and Chang Chen-Lin, Glutamate-Mediated Signaling and Autism Spectrum Disorders: Emerging Treatment Targets, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2014; 20 (32) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612819666140110120725
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612819666140110120725 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
"Tuberculosis Prevention, Diagnosis and Drug Discovery"
The Nobel Prize-winning discoveries of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and streptomycin have enabled an appropriate diagnosis and an effective treatment of tuberculosis (TB). Since then, many newer diagnosis methods and drugs have been saving millions of lives. Despite advances in the past, TB is still a leading cause of infectious disease mortality ...read more
Blood-based biomarkers in large-scale screening for neurodegenerative diseases
Disease biomarkers are necessary tools that can be employ in several clinical context of use (COU), ranging from the (early) diagnosis, prognosis, prediction, to monitor of disease state and/or drug efficacy. Regarding neurodegenerative diseases, in particular Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a battery of well-validated biomarkers are available, such as cerebrospinal fluid ...read more
Current Pharmaceutical challenges in the treatment and diagnosis of neurological dysfunctions
Neurological dysfunctions (MND, ALS, MS, PD, AD, HD, ALS, Autism, OCD etc..) present significant challenges in both diagnosis and treatment, often necessitating innovative approaches and therapeutic interventions. This thematic issue aims to explore the current pharmaceutical landscape surrounding neurological disorders, shedding light on the challenges faced by researchers, clinicians, and ...read more
Diabetes mellitus: advances in diagnosis and treatment driving by precision medicine
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic degenerative metabolic disease with ever increasing prevalence worldwide which is now an epidemic disease affecting 500 million people worldwide. Insufficient insulin secretion from pancreatic β cells unable to maintain blood glucose homeostasis is the main feature of this disease. Multifactorial and complex nature of ...read more
![](https://cdn.statically.io/img/doi.org/images/wayfinder.jpg)
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Perspectives on the Tertiary Prevention Strategy for Alzheimer’s Disease
Current Alzheimer Research A Novel Functional Approach Toward Identifying Definitive Drug Targets
Current Medicinal Chemistry Targeting Histone Deacetylases in Neuroblastoma
Current Pharmaceutical Design Computer Vision Methods for Parkinsonian Gait Analysis: A Review on Patents
Recent Patents on Biomedical Engineering (Discontinued) Patent Selections:
Recent Patents on Drug Delivery & Formulation CEST MRI for Molecular Imaging of Brain Metabolites
Current Molecular Imaging (Discontinued) Clinical Next Generation Sequencing for Precision Medicine in Cancer
Current Genomics Disorders of the Circadian Clock: Etiology and Possible Therapeutic Targets
Current Drug Targets - CNS & Neurological Disorders Research Progress in Competitive Purine Antagonists
Current Medicinal Chemistry Autonomic Nervous System in Viral Myocarditis: Pathophysiology and Therapy
Current Pharmaceutical Design Dietary and Plant Polyphenols Exert Neuroprotective Effects and Improve Cognitive Function in Cerebral Ischemia
Recent Patents on Food, Nutrition & Agriculture Diagnosing and Treating Depression in Older and Oldest Old
Current Pharmaceutical Design β-Aminocarbonyl Compounds: Chemistry and Biological Activities
Mini-Reviews in Organic Chemistry Immunopathological Aspects of Mycoplasma pneumoniae Infection
Current Pediatric Reviews Bioactive Molecule-loaded Drug Delivery Systems to Optimize Bone Tissue Repair
Current Protein & Peptide Science Effect of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) Gene Variants on the Therapeutic Response and the Risk for Mood Disorders
Current Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine Animal Peptides Targeting Voltage-Activated Sodium Channels
Current Pharmaceutical Design Immune Responses to AAV in Clinical Trials
Current Gene Therapy The Antiepileptic Potential of Nucleosides
Current Medicinal Chemistry Synthesis and SARs of Coumarin Fused 1,5-Benzothiazepines as Novel Anticancer and Antioxidant Agents
Mini-Reviews in Organic Chemistry