A trial of d-cycloserine to treat the social deficit in older adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorders

J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2015;27(2):133-8. doi: 10.1176/appi.neuropsych.13070155.

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorders are difficult for older adolescents and young adults as impaired social communication affects the transition to adult life. d-Cycloserine, a partial glycine agonist at the N-methyl-d-aspartic acid receptor, was tested in a double-blind randomized trial in 20 older adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorders using two dosing strategies (50 mg daily versus 50 mg weekly) for 8 weeks with a 2-week follow-up after discontinuation. d-Cycloserine caused statistically and clinically significant improvement with no differentiation between dosing strategies on the Social Responsiveness Scale and the Aberrant Behavior Checklist before and after d-cycloserine administration.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Antimetabolites / therapeutic use*
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder / complications*
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder / psychology
  • Cycloserine / therapeutic use*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Linear Models
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Mental Status Schedule
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Social Communication Disorder / drug therapy*
  • Social Communication Disorder / etiology*
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antimetabolites
  • Cycloserine