Pfizer Inc. Drug Reduced Autism Signs in Mice

An experimental drug for depression being developed by Pfizer Inc. (PFE) (PFE) reduced signs of autism in mice in a study, a finding that may shed light on the cause of the disorder and jump-start research into ways to treat it. The treatment, named GRN-529, targets the brain chemical glutamate, tied to socialization and behavior. When given to mice displaying signs of autism, it suppressed repetitive actions and anti-social behavior, according to the research published today in the journal Science Translational Medicine. Pfizer and the National Institutes of Health funded the study.