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Updated: Jul 26, 2026
12:21
Probing the Brain in Autism Using fMRI and Diffusion Tensor Imaging
Published on: September 12, 2011
Pharmacological interventions in autism: theoretical and practical issues.
1Child Study Center, Yale University, P.O. Box 207900, New Haven, CT 06520, USA. fred.volkmar@yale.edu
Journal of Clinical Child Psychology
|April 11, 2001
Summary
Autism drug treatments face challenges due to varied symptoms and study issues. While medications help some symptoms, core autism challenges like social interaction remain less responsive.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) presents complex challenges for pharmacological interventions.
- Variability in symptom expression and methodological limitations complicate treatment studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the complexities and current status of drug treatments for autism.
- To identify neurochemical systems and therapeutic targets in autism.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of pharmacological treatment studies in autism.
- Analysis of implicated neurochemical systems including dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin.
Main Results:
- Dopaminergic system is the most studied target for autism pharmacotherapy.
- Current drug treatments show efficacy for certain disabling symptoms but not core autism deficits.
- Core symptoms like social relatedness and communication are less responsive to medication.
Conclusions:
- Developing integrated behavioral and pharmacological approaches is crucial for future autism treatment research.
- New assessment strategies are needed to better evaluate treatment efficacy in autism.
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