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Brief Report: Acamprosate in Fragile X Syndrome

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Abstract

Glutamatergic dysfunction is implicated in the pathophysiology of fragile X syndrome (FXS). We report on the first trial of acamprosate, a drug with putative mGluR5 antagonism, in three adults with FXS and autism. Medical records describing open-label treatment with acamprosate in 3 patients with FXS and a comorbid diagnosis of autistic disorder were reviewed. In all three patients, acamprosate was associated with improved linguistic communication. Three patients received acamprosate over a mean 21.3 weeks of treatment. All patients showed global clinical benefit as rated with the Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement scale. Marked communication improvement was unexpected and has potential implications for the treatment of FXS, as well as idiopathic autism.

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Acknowledgments

This work is supported in part by The Division of Disability & Rehabilitative Services, Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (Drs. Erickson, McDougle); National Institute of Health grant K12 UL1 RR025761 Indiana University Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute Career Development Award (Dr. Erickson); and NIMH grant R01 MH072964 (Dr. McDougle).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, 702 Barnhill Drive, Room 4300, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA

    Craig A. Erickson, Jennifer E. Mullett & Christopher J. McDougle

  2. Christian Sarkine Autism Treatment Center, James Whitcomb Riley Hospital for Children, Indianapolis, IN, USA

    Craig A. Erickson, Jennifer E. Mullett & Christopher J. McDougle

Authors
  1. Craig A. Erickson
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  2. Jennifer E. Mullett
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  3. Christopher J. McDougle
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Correspondence to Craig A. Erickson.

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Erickson, C.A., Mullett, J.E. & McDougle, C.J. Brief Report: Acamprosate in Fragile X Syndrome. J Autism Dev Disord 40, 1412–1416 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-010-0988-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-010-0988-9

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