Corticosteroids and the Pharmacological Management of Autism—An Integrative Review
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), or autism, is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition typically detected during early childhood, for which no specific and efficient pharmacological management is currently available. No drugs have been developed specifically for the pharmacological management of auti...
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MDPI AG
2024-11-01
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| Series: | Scientia Pharmaceutica |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2218-0532/92/4/61 |
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| author | Lillian Amanda Gabarrão de Jesus Grasiela Piuvezam Isac Davidson Santiago Fernandes Pimenta Eduardo Borges de Melo |
| author_facet | Lillian Amanda Gabarrão de Jesus Grasiela Piuvezam Isac Davidson Santiago Fernandes Pimenta Eduardo Borges de Melo |
| author_sort | Lillian Amanda Gabarrão de Jesus |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), or autism, is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition typically detected during early childhood, for which no specific and efficient pharmacological management is currently available. No drugs have been developed specifically for the pharmacological management of autism. Thus, this approach often relies on various conventional psychotropic medications and, depending on the condition, other medications may also be used. Some studies available in the literature indicate that the adjunctive use of corticosteroids can help improve the quality of life of individuals with autism. Therefore, we conducted an integrative review using four databases, which were PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, focusing on clinical trials and animal model studies involving corticosteroids related to autism. We analyzed the effects of treatment on core and associated autism symptoms, as well as adverse effects. Eight studies were selected and analyzed, seven involving humans and one using an animal model. These studies focused on the drugs pregnenolone (3), prednisolone (3), hydrocortisone (1), and betamethasone (1) in trials either alone or in combination with other medications (such as risperidone). We observed that corticosteroids safely and effectively reduced several symptoms, including stereotypical and social behaviors, hyperactivity, and irritability. Furthermore, no serious adverse effects were observed, although all selected studies were of short duration. Thus, corticosteroids are promising options to be included in the pharmacological management of autism, whether or not in combination with other medications, and further studies are needed to evaluate their long-term effectiveness. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a5a22b2045ff4685a1b8ef9cc33bd8e5 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 0036-8709 2218-0532 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientia Pharmaceutica |
| spelling | doaj-art-a5a22b2045ff4685a1b8ef9cc33bd8e52025-08-20T02:57:17ZengMDPI AGScientia Pharmaceutica0036-87092218-05322024-11-019246110.3390/scipharm92040061Corticosteroids and the Pharmacological Management of Autism—An Integrative ReviewLillian Amanda Gabarrão de Jesus0Grasiela Piuvezam1Isac Davidson Santiago Fernandes Pimenta2Eduardo Borges de Melo3Theoretical Medicinal and Environmental Chemistry Laboratory (LQMAT), Department of Pharmacy, Western Paraná State University (UNIOESTE), 2069 Universitária St, Cascavel 85819-110, PR, BrazilSystematic Review and Meta-Analysis Laboratory, Postgraduate Program in Public Health (PPGSCoL), Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal 59078-900, RN, BrazilSystematic Review and Meta-Analysis Laboratory, Postgraduate Program in Public Health (PPGSCoL), Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal 59078-900, RN, BrazilTheoretical Medicinal and Environmental Chemistry Laboratory (LQMAT), Department of Pharmacy, Western Paraná State University (UNIOESTE), 2069 Universitária St, Cascavel 85819-110, PR, BrazilAutism spectrum disorder (ASD), or autism, is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition typically detected during early childhood, for which no specific and efficient pharmacological management is currently available. No drugs have been developed specifically for the pharmacological management of autism. Thus, this approach often relies on various conventional psychotropic medications and, depending on the condition, other medications may also be used. Some studies available in the literature indicate that the adjunctive use of corticosteroids can help improve the quality of life of individuals with autism. Therefore, we conducted an integrative review using four databases, which were PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, focusing on clinical trials and animal model studies involving corticosteroids related to autism. We analyzed the effects of treatment on core and associated autism symptoms, as well as adverse effects. Eight studies were selected and analyzed, seven involving humans and one using an animal model. These studies focused on the drugs pregnenolone (3), prednisolone (3), hydrocortisone (1), and betamethasone (1) in trials either alone or in combination with other medications (such as risperidone). We observed that corticosteroids safely and effectively reduced several symptoms, including stereotypical and social behaviors, hyperactivity, and irritability. Furthermore, no serious adverse effects were observed, although all selected studies were of short duration. Thus, corticosteroids are promising options to be included in the pharmacological management of autism, whether or not in combination with other medications, and further studies are needed to evaluate their long-term effectiveness.https://www.mdpi.com/2218-0532/92/4/61autismcorticosteroidspharmacotherapyintegrative review |
| spellingShingle | Lillian Amanda Gabarrão de Jesus Grasiela Piuvezam Isac Davidson Santiago Fernandes Pimenta Eduardo Borges de Melo Corticosteroids and the Pharmacological Management of Autism—An Integrative Review Scientia Pharmaceutica autism corticosteroids pharmacotherapy integrative review |
| title | Corticosteroids and the Pharmacological Management of Autism—An Integrative Review |
| title_full | Corticosteroids and the Pharmacological Management of Autism—An Integrative Review |
| title_fullStr | Corticosteroids and the Pharmacological Management of Autism—An Integrative Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Corticosteroids and the Pharmacological Management of Autism—An Integrative Review |
| title_short | Corticosteroids and the Pharmacological Management of Autism—An Integrative Review |
| title_sort | corticosteroids and the pharmacological management of autism an integrative review |
| topic | autism corticosteroids pharmacotherapy integrative review |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2218-0532/92/4/61 |
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