Memantine-based NMDA receptor antagonist could help treat autism

A study published in Nature Communications identified myocyte enhancer factor 2C (MEF2C) mutations as a source of abnormal brain development and function and suggests an NMDA receptor antagonist could help treat autism.

MEF2C regulates several genes linked to autism, and research has suggested excitation-inhibition (E/I) imbalance in neurotransmission, which can occur via multiple molecular pathways, as a cause of autism. Previous studies have linked MEF2C haploinsufficiency to autism disorders, however the molecular mechanism was unknown...