GABA pathways in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) (version I)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Modulation of the Excitatory/Inhibitory (E/I) balance through neuronal systems in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
IRAS ID
235790
Contact name
Grainne McAlonan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Duration of Study in the UK
5 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
The brain depends on the balance between the major excitatory (E) chemical glutamate and inhibitory (I) chemical GABA. Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a group of related conditions including autism and Asperger’s syndrome. Recent research suggests that there may be differences in the E-I system in people with and without ASD; and this is especially true for GABA. We want to test this theory and find out more about how E-I systems may be altered in ASD.
To do this we will measure glutamate, GABA, and brain activity in adults with and without ASD when the E-I system is active and when it is ‘resting’. To do so we will carry out MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) brain scans and tests out-of-the-scanner when the GABA system is briefly activated by a single dose of a GABA-acting drug (AZD7325) and when the GABA system is resting after a 'dummy pill' (placebo).
AZD7325 acts at the same nerve target as the body’s own GABA therefore it helps us understand what GABA does in the brain. AZD7325 has been used in Clinical Trials and found to be generally safe and well tolerated, therefore it is a useful research tool for our study.REC name
West Midlands - Solihull Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/WM/0208
Date of REC Opinion
10 Sep 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion