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
![](/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
-
Recent Patents on Emerging Therapeutics for the Treatment of Glaucoma, Age Related Macular Degeneration and Uveitis
Recent Patents on Biomedical Engineering (Discontinued) Assessing Drug Transport Across the Human Placental Barrier: From In Vivo and In Vitro Measurements to the Ex Vivo Perfusion Method and In silico Techniques
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Reversal of Calcium Dysregulation as Potential Approach for Treating Alzheimer's Disease
Current Alzheimer Research Plant Polyphenols as Neuroprotective Agents in Parkinson’s Disease Targeting Oxidative Stress
Current Drug Targets Benzothiazole Derivatives as Potential Anti-Infective Agents
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA)-Type Glutamate Receptors and Demyelinating Disorders: A Neuroimmune Perspective
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Medicinal Chemistry Insights into Novel HDAC Inhibitors: An Updated Patent Review (2012-2016)
Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery Cholinesterase Inhibitors and Beyond
Current Alzheimer Research Discovery of Small Molecule c-Met Inhibitors: Evolution and Profiles of Clinical Candidates
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Ca2+ Signalling in Damaged Endothelium: Do Connexin Hemichannels Aid in Filling the Gap?
Current Drug Therapy Understanding and Improving Treatment Adherence in Patients with Psychotic Disorders: A Review and a Proposed Intervention
Current Psychiatry Reviews The Combined Effect of Curcumin and Crocin on the Reduction of Inflammatory Responses in Arthritic Rats
Current Medicinal Chemistry Immunomodulatory Therapeutic Effects of Curcumin on M1/M2 Macrophage Polarization in Inflammatory Diseases
Current Molecular Pharmacology The Role of IRE1 Signaling in the Central Nervous System Diseases
Current Neuropharmacology Multitarget Therapeutic Effect of Fasudil in APP/PS1transgenic Mice
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets MicroRNAs as Diagnostic, Prognostic and Predictive Biomarkers of Ovarian Cancer
Recent Patents on Biomarkers Current Pharmaceutical Treatments and Alternative Therapies of Parkinson’s Disease
Current Neuropharmacology Mean Diffusivity in the Dopaminergic System and Neural Differences Related to Dopaminergic System
Current Neuropharmacology The Promises and Challenges of the Use of Genomics in the Prescription of Exercise in Hypertension
Current Hypertension Reviews Current Use of mTOR Inhibitors for the Treatment of Subependymal Giant Cell Astrocytomas and Epilepsy in Patients with TSC
Current Medicinal Chemistry