Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are diagnosed in 1/100 childbirth worldwide, based on two core symptoms, deficits in social interaction and communication and stereotyped behaviours. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest family of cell-surface receptors that mediate the transfer of extracellular signals to convergent intracellular signalling and downstream cellular responses that are dysregulated in ASD. Despite hundreds of GPCRs are expressed in the brain, only 23 GPCRs are genetically associated to ASD according to the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI) gene database: oxytocin OTR, vasopressin V1A, V1B, metabotropic glutamate mGlu5, mGlu7, GABAB, dopamine D1, D2, D3, serotoninergic 5-HT1B, β2-adrenoceptor, cholinergic M3, adenosine A2A, A3, angiotensin AT2, cannabinoid CB1, chemokine CX3CR1, orphan GPR37, GPR85 and olfactory OR1C1, OR2M4, OR2T10, OR52M1. Here, we review the therapeutical potential of these 23 GPCRs, in addition to 5-HT2A, 5-HT6 and 5-HT7 for their relevance to ASD. We discuss their genetic association with ASD, the effects of their genetic and pharmacological manipulation in animal models and humans, their existing pharmacopeia towards core symptoms of ASD and rank them based on these evidences. Among these 23 GPCRs, we highlight that OTR, V1A, mGlu5, D2, 5-HT2A, CB1, and GPR37 are the best therapeutic targets. We conclude that the dysregulation of GPCRs and their signalling is a convergent pathological mechanism of ASD and their therapeutic potential has only begun as multiple GPCRs could mitigate ASD.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are diagnosed in 1/100 children worldwide, based on two core symptoms, deficits in social interaction and communication and stereotyped behaviours. G protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest family of cell‐surface receptors that transduce extracellular signals to convergent intracellular signalling and downstream cellular responses that are commonly dysregulated in ASD. Despite hundreds of GPCRs being expressed in the brain, only 23 are genetically associated with ASD according to the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI) gene database: oxytocin OTR, vasopressin V1A, V1B, metabotropic glutamate mGlu5, mGlu7, GABAB2, dopamine D1, D2, D3, serotoninergic 5‐HT1B, β2‐adrenoceptor, cholinergic M3, adenosine A2A, A3, angiotensin AT2, cannabinoid CB1, chemokine CX3CR1, orphan GPR37, GPR85 and olfactory OR1C1, OR2M4, OR2T10, OR52M1. Here, we review the therapeutic potential of these 23 GPCRs, 5‐HT2A and 5‐HT7 for ASD. For each GPCR, we discuss its genetic association, genetic and pharmacological manipulation in animal models, pharmacopeia for core symptoms of ASD and rank them based on these factors. Among these GPCRs, we highlight that D2, 5‐HT2A, CB1, OTR and V1A are the most promising targets for ASD. We discuss that the dysregulation of GPCRs and their signalling is a convergent pathological mechanism of ASD. Their therapeutic potential has only begun as multiple GPCRs could mitigate ASD.

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