Recent advances in the pharmacotherapy of autism

This review examines the most recent evidence for the pharmacologic management of severe maladaptive behaviors often observed in patients with autistic disorder. Although a multimodal approach is imperative in the management of autism, medications are frequently required for the individual to benefit from behavioral and educational interventions. Several classes of medications appear helpful in diminishing specific target symptoms and include the atypical antipsychotics, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, mirtazapine, mood stabilizers and alpha(2)-adrenergic agonists. Controlled research and longitudinal studies are needed to expand the knowledge base of these compounds as well as other medications under investigation. It is anticipated that future research regarding neuroimmunology, as well as the cholinergic and glutamatergic neurotransmitter systems, will contribute to our understanding of the pathophysiology of autistic disorder.