Expression of Phosphodiesterase 4 is Altered in the Brains of Subjects with Autism

Layperson Summary:

Drugs that target the brain chemical phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) may some day help people with autism.

This study looked to see whether or not the PDE4 gene is involved in autism. The authors found that certain types of PDE4 were decreased in the brains of people with autism when compared to the brains of controls. The difference in PDE4 was most pronounced in the cerebellum and frontal cortex portions of the brain. The drugs haloperidol, clozapine, lithium, and valproic acid all act on PDE4 in the brain. The authors suggest that these drugs be studied more closely to see if they are good therapies for autism.

Scientific Abstract