Medication to treat social withdrawal in autism?

Scientists are to investigate treatment of the symptom of social withdrawal in patients with Fragile X and Autism, conditions which can leave individuals in need of respite care.

Fragile X syndrome, which causes impaired social function, cognition, speech as well as attention deficits and anxiety, is the most common known single gene cause of autism and the most common cause of inherited intellectual disability.

Pediatric neurologists at Rush University Medical Center are exploring the effect of an experimental drug on individuals with the condition.

Principal investigator Dr Elizabeth Berry-Kravis said: "The condition can be severely debilitating and this medication has the potential to play a much needed role in improving the core symptoms of fragile X syndrome and helping patients and their families achieve an improved quality of life."

This follows news that a University of Cambridge team have uncovered a new biomarker for autism, reported in journal Translational Psychiatry.