Serotonin Receptors as Therapeutic Targets for Autism Spectrum Disorder Treatment |
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Authors: | Ansoo Lee Hyunah Choo Byungsun Jeon |
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Affiliation: | 1.Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Korea;2.Division of Bio-Medical Science & Technology, KIST School, University of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Korea |
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Abstract: | Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by repetitive and stereotyped behaviors as well as difficulties with social interaction and communication. According to reports for prevalence rates of ASD, approximately 1~2% of children worldwide have been diagnosed with ASD. Although there are a couple of FDA (Food and Drug Administration)—approved drugs for ASD treatment such as aripiprazole and risperidone, they are efficient for alleviating aggression, hyperactivity, and self-injury but not the core symptoms. Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) as a neurotransmitter plays a crucial role in the early neurodevelopmental stage. In particular, 5-HT has been known to regulate a variety of neurobiological processes including neurite outgrowth, dendritic spine morphology, shaping neuronal circuits, synaptic transmission, and synaptic plasticity. Given the roles of serotonergic systems, the 5-HT receptors (5-HTRs) become emerging as potential therapeutic targets in the ASD. In this review, we will focus on the recent development of small molecule modulators of 5-HTRs as therapeutic targets for the ASD treatment. |
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Keywords: | serotonin receptors autism spectrum disorders therapeutic targets modulators |
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