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Neurochemistry of Autism

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Neurochemical Mechanisms in Disease

Part of the book series: Advances in Neurobiology ((NEUROBIOL,volume 1))

Abstract

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by presence of social deficits, language abnormalities, stereotypies, and repetitive behavior. Brain pathology is extensive, suggesting widespread dysfunction of neurotransmitter systems. Genetic, biochemical, and gene association studies have shown that a number of neurotransmitters including serotonin, dopamine, oxytocin, GABA and glutamate, and acetylcholine contribute to the pathology of autism. Pharmacological treatment of autism has focused on reduction of symptoms and atypical antipsychotics, antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and anticonvulsants have been shown to successfully reduce many symptoms of autism. In this review we discuss the contributions of neurotransmitter systems to the pathology of autism and pharmacological treatment of autistic symptoms associated with neurochemical dysfunction.

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Acknowledgments

Grant support by National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (#5R01HD052074-01A2 and #3R01KD052074-03S1) to SHF is gratefully acknowledged

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Neuroscience Research, Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA

    Timothy D. Folsom & S. Hossein Fatemi

  2. Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA

    S. Hossein Fatemi

  3. Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA

    S. Hossein Fatemi

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  1. Timothy D. Folsom
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  2. S. Hossein Fatemi
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Correspondence to S. Hossein Fatemi .

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  1. Burke Rehabilitation Center, Mamaroneck Ave. 785, White Plains, 10605, New York, USA

    John P. Blass

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Folsom, T.D., Fatemi, S.H. (2011). Neurochemistry of Autism. In: Blass, J. (eds) Neurochemical Mechanisms in Disease. Advances in Neurobiology, vol 1. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-7104-3_13

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