Story perspectives
Memantine Shows Promise in Improving Autism Social Skills
10/1/2025
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Story summary
- A trial published in JAMA suggests memantine may improve social behaviors in some children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
- Benefits were strongest in children with glutamate elevations in the pregenual anterior cingulate cortex (pgACC).
- 12-week trial enrolled 33 participants aged 8 to 17, randomized to memantine or placebo.
- Caregivers reported meaningful improvements; researchers call for larger trials to confirm efficacy.
