Cited by 108Autism Spectrum Disorder ResearchGenetics and Neurodevelopmental DisordersAlzheimer's disease research and treatments

Drug discovery for autism spectrum disorder: challenges and opportunities

Ghosh, Anirvan, Michalon, Aubin, Lindemann, Lothar, Fontoura, Paulo, Santarelli, Luca·2013·Nature Reviews Drug Discovery

Abstract

The rising rates of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and the lack of effective medications to treat its core symptoms have led to an increased sense of urgency to identify therapies for this group of neurodevelopmental conditions. Developing drugs for ASD, however, has been challenging because of a limited understanding of its pathophysiology, difficulties in modelling the disease in vitro and in vivo, the heterogeneity of symptoms, and the dearth of prior experience in clinical development. In the past few years these challenges have been mitigated by considerable advances in our understanding of forms of ASD caused by single-gene alterations, such as fragile X syndrome and tuberous sclerosis. In these cases we have gained insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying these conditions. In addition, they have aided in the development of animal models and compounds with the potential for disease modification in clinical development. Moreover, genetic studies are illuminating the molecular pathophysiology of ASD, and new tools such as induced pluripotent stem cells offer novel possibilities for drug screening and disease diagnostics. Finally, large-scale collaborations between academia and industry are starting to address some of the key barriers to developing drugs for ASD. Here, we propose a conceptual framework for drug discovery in ASD encompassing target identification, drug profiling and considerations for clinical trials in this novel area.

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Crossref · 10.1038/nrd4102

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Authors
Ghosh, A., Michalon, A., Lindemann, L., Fontoura, P., & Santarelli, L.
Affiliations
F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG (CH)
Corresponding author
Ghosh, Anirvan
Venue
Nature Reviews Drug Discovery
Published
2013-10
Volume
12
Issue
10
Pages
777-790
ISSN
  • 1474-1776 (ISSN-L)
  • 1474-1784
OpenAlex
W1973491179
Cited by
108
References
87
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 14 · 2015: 20 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 1
FWCI
1.29
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Nature Reviews Drug Discovery (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Simons Foundation
  • Autism Research Foundation
  • European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetics and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Alzheimer's disease research and treatments
Keywords
autism spectrum disorder, drug discovery, fragile X syndrome, tuberous sclerosis complex, single-gene mutations, animal models of autism, induced pluripotent stem cells, drug screening, disease modification, clinical trials, target identification, drug profiling, academia-industry collaboration
MeSH terms
Animals, Child, Child Development Disorders, Pervasive, Clinical Trials as Topic, Cooperative Behavior, Disease Models, Animal, Drug Industry, Humans, Drug Design, Drug Discovery, Molecular Targeted Therapy

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