Researchers have identified a drug target that has the potential to increase social interaction in individuals with some forms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Although medications are available for treating symptoms sometimes associated with ASD such as anxiety depression attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and irritability there are no medications currently approved for treatment of the core social interaction deficits that characterise the disorder. This research could significantly change our understanding of the causes and brain changes in autism and could lead to new treatment approaches for the harder-to-treat social aspects of ASD said senior author Edward Brodkin Associate Professor at Perelman
