Autism Symptoms and Diarrhea Calm Down With One Common Drug

A common anti-diarrheal drug may have the potential in treating the social difficulties associated with autism spectrum disorder, according to a new study published in the journal Frontiers in Pharmacology. This was found when a computer-based protein interaction network identified whether existing drugs could provide a new treatment approach.

There are currently no effective treatments for the core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), such as difficulties with socializing and communicating. Most adults and about half of children and adolescents with ASD are treated with antipsychotic drugs, which have serious side effects or lack efficacy.

By looking at how different drugs affected proteins in the body, they identified potential candidates to treat it. A commonly used antidiarrheal drug called loperamide was the most promising candidate.

Researchers have an interesting hypothesis about how it may work to treat ASD symptoms. Some of the most common symptoms of ASD involve difficulties with social interaction and communication.

Repurposing Drugs as a New Way of Autism Treatment

Drug repurposing means exploring existing drugs as potential treatments for different conditions. The approach has plenty of benefits, as there is often extensive knowledge about existing drugs in terms of their safety, side effects, and the biological molecules that they interact with within the body.

To identify new treatments for ASD, they used a computer-based protein interaction network. Such networks encompass proteins and the complex interactions between them.

It is important to account for this complexity when studying biological systems, as affecting one protein can often have knock-on effects elsewhere. The most promising drug is called loperamide, which is commonly used for diarrhea.

Loperamide Cures Everything from An Upset Stomach to Autism

Loperamide binds to and activates a protein called the μ-opioid receptor, which is normally affected by opioid drugs, such as morphine. Along with the effects that you would normally expect from an opioid drug, such as pain relief, the μ-opioid receptor also affects social behavior.

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In previous studies, genetically engineered mice that lack the μ-opioid receptor demonstrated social deficits similar to those seen in ASD. Interestingly, drugs that activate the μ-opioid receptor helped to restore social behaviors.

These results in mice highlight the tantalizing possibility that loperamide, or other drugs that target the μ-opioid receptor, may represent a new way to treat the social symptoms present in ASD, but further work is required to test this hypothesis.

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References

1. Koch Elise, Demontis Ditte.Drug repurposing candidates to treat core symptoms in autism spectrum disorder.Frontiers in Pharmacology 2022(https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2022.995439/full)
2. Regnard, Claud et al. Loperamide.Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. 2011.(https://www.jpsmjournal.com/article/S0885-3924%2811%2900263-6/fulltext)


Source-Medindia