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Autism and Glutamate

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The Molecular Basis of Autism

Part of the book series: Contemporary Clinical Neuroscience ((CCNE))

Abstract

In recent years there has been a growing interest in the role played by the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate in autism spectrum disorders. The present chapter describes results from brain imaging and biochemical studies that directly or indirectly strengthen the notion of dysfunctional glutamatergic transmission in autism spectrum disorders. Of particular interest is the increasing number of studies showing white matter, including corpus callosum, abnormalities and deficient cortical “connectivity” in autism. Accumulating biochemical evidence also points to aberrations in glutamatergic signalling in autism. Several studies testing different agents that modulate glutamatergic transmission have been conducted but larger placebo-controlled studies are needed. An alternative possible avenue involves combined dopaminergic and serotonergic stabilization which would mediate indirect modulation of glutamatergic systems.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by Västra Götalandsregionen, Sweden.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska Science Park, Medicinaregatan 8A, 41346, Gothenburg, Sweden

    Maria L. Carlsson Ph.D.

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  1. Maria L. Carlsson Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Maria L. Carlsson Ph.D. .

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  1. Neuroscience and Pharmacology MMC 392, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

    S. Hossein Fatemi

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Carlsson, M. (2015). Autism and Glutamate. In: Fatemi, S. (eds) The Molecular Basis of Autism. Contemporary Clinical Neuroscience. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-2190-4_12

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