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Pharmacogenomics of autism spectrum disorder

    Jacob T Brown

    Department of Pharmacy Practice & Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Duluth, MN, USA

    ,
    Seenae Eum

    Department of Experimental & Clinical Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA

    ,
    Edwin H Cook

    Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA

    &
    Jeffrey R Bishop

    *Author for correspondence:

    E-mail Address: jrbishop@umn.edu

    Department of Experimental & Clinical Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA

    Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA

    Published Online:https://doi.org/10.2217/pgs-2016-0167

    Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and interactions as well as restricted, repetitive behaviors and interests. Pharmacologic interventions are often needed to manage irritability, aggressive behaviors and hyperactivity. Pharmacogenomic studies have investigated genetic associations with treatment response and side effects in an attempt to better understand drug mechanisms in hopes of optimizing the balance of symptom improvement versus side effects. The majority of pharmacogenomic studies to date have focused on antipsychotics, antidepressants and stimulants that are the most commonly utilized medication classes for ASD. This review is a comprehensive examination of the existing pharmacogenomic studies in ASD highlighting the current state of knowledge regarding genetic variation influencing pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, and associated clinical outcomes.

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