Memantine to Treat Social Impairment in Youths With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

ABSTRACT:

Importance

Pharmacologic interventions for addressing social impairments in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are lacking. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) studies in individuals with ASD have documented altered glutamate levels in the pregenual anterior cingulate cortex (pgACC).

Objectives

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of memantine for treating social impairments in youths with ASD and to explore pgACC glutamate levels as a potential biomarker for treatment response.

Design, setting, and participants

This 12-week, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-design randomized clinical trial was conducted between January 20, 2015, and July 11, 2018. The study population comprised youths aged 8 to 17 years with ASD without intellectual disability (IQ≥85

SUBMITTER: Joshi G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12489667 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature