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Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is marked by impairment in social interactions. Glutamate dysregulation in the anterior cingulate cortex, which plays a role in social processing, might contribute to autism pathophysiology. Memantine, an antagonist of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptors, is currently approved to treat dementia in adults, but whether it could improve social functioning in young people with ASD in uncertain.
Researchers recruited children ages 8–17 with at least moderately severe autism and no intellectual disability. Forty-five children (mean age, 13 years) were randomized to receive memantine or placebo for 12 weeks. Most patients were boys (76%) with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and comor…