Overall, this article provides insights into the promising therapies for treating abnormalities in social function in individuals with ASD as well as the challenges faced in this area of research.Įvolution of the Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorderīleuler introduced the term ‘autism’ in 1911 to describe adults with schizophrenia. Promising therapies that may address social deficits as well as the biological mechanisms that they target are discussed in detail. This article reviews the history of autism, the development of social skills in typically developing (TD) children and how they develop abnormally in autism, the general pathophysiology of autism, outcome measures used to assess social function, and unique challenges in studying autism. One consistency in the definition of autism as it has evolved over the past century is that a deficit in social function has always been included in defining autism. Until recently, the deficits in social function and communication were considered two separate core symptoms. ASD is defined by a deficit in social communication along with the presence of repetitive and/or restricted interests and/or behaviors. Although ASD is a very heterogeneous disorder with many associated psychiatric and medical co-morbidities, specific core symptoms define its diagnosis. Other pertinent issues associated with developing treatments in autism spectrum disorder, such as disease heterogeneity, high placebo response rates, trial design, and the most appropriate way of assessing effects on social skills (outcome measures), are also discussed.Īutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a behaviorally defined neurodevelopmental disorder now affecting almost 2% of children in USA. In addition, agents such as bumetanide and manipulation of the enteric microbiome using microbiota transfer therapy appear to have promising effects on core autism spectrum disorder symptoms including social function. This discussion reveals that agents such as oxytocin and propranolol are particularly promising and undergoing active investigation, while other agents such as vasopressin agonists and antagonists are being activity investigated but have limited published evidence at this time. Previous and ongoing clinical trials examining agents that have the potential to improve social deficits associated with autism spectrum disorder are discussed in detail. Abnormalities identified in early social skill development and an overview of the pathophysiology abnormalities associated with autism spectrum disorder are discussed as are the abnormalities in brain circuits associated with the social function deficit. A review of the history of autism demonstrates that a deficit in social interaction has been the defining feature of the concept of autism from its conception. This article reviews the biological origins of the social function deficit associated with autism spectrum disorder and the drug therapies with the potential to treat this deficit. Currently, there is no US Food and Drug Administration-approved drug for these core symptoms. Autism spectrum disorder is defined by two core symptoms: a deficit in social communication and the presence of repetitive behaviors and/or restricted interests.
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