Glutamate's role in symptom control of autism spectrum disorder

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder is a complex and persistent condition that has received increasing attention through the recent decades. Numerous research studies have highlighted the role of the neurotransmitter glutamate in this disorder, suggesting that alterations in its function could be significant in the development of the disorder’s symptoms. Literature research was conducted in the PubMed, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Scielo, and PsycARTICLES databases from 2019 to 2024, original and review articles in English and Spanish were selected to evidence the influence of neurochemical imbalance on the development of autism symptoms. The findings proved a relationship between the neurochemical imbalance of glutamate and some symptoms of autism spectrum disorder, suggesting that the receptors of this neurotransmitter could be involved as therapeutic targets, positive developments were observed in verbal intellectual quotient and improvement in social responsiveness after treatment with allosteric modulators of glutamate receptors.