Pharmacological Strategies to Modulate Symptoms in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)

Dear Colleagues,

ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent challenges in social interaction, communication, and repetitive patterns of behavior. Approximately 75 million people worldwide are affected by ASD, representing about 1% of the global population. The current prevalence of autism among children is 1 in 36. Many individuals benefit from therapeutic interventions aimed at managing co-occurring symptoms, such as anxiety, aggression, hyperactivity, and sleep disturbances. When carefully tailored to individual needs, pharmacological approaches can play a complementary role in improving quality of life.

We invite the scientific community to contribute their research to this Special Issue. We welcome submissions related to ASD, either directly or indirectly, including but not limited to, the following topics:

Synthesis and biological evaluation of new molecules targeting pathways involved in the treatment of ASD or aimed at ameliorating its symptoms.

 In-depth computational studies to better understand proteins implicated in the development of ASD.

Molecular modeling studies proposing new small-molecule ligands with a high predicted affinity for ASD-related molecular targets, such as 5-HT receptors and GABA channels, among others.

Development of novel animal, insect, cellular, or other models to study or evaluate pharmacological treatments in ASD.

Biological evaluation of well-established drugs to identify new applications for ASD treatment or improve conditions associated with this disorder.

Extensive bibliometric studies demonstrating strong correlations between autism, its causes, molecular targets, or potential pharmacological interventions.

We look forward to your valuable contributions to advancing the field toward evidence-based pharmacological approaches that support individuals with ASD and their diverse needs.

Dr. Jaime Mella Raipan
Guest Editor

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