Key Takeaways

An Alzheimer’s disease pill might help kids with autismMemantine boosted social functioning among these kids and teensThe drug blocks the activity of the neurotransmitter glutamate, which is found in higher levels in people with autism and Alzheimer’s

MONDAY, Oct. 6, 2025 (HealthDay News) — An approved pill for Alzheimer’s disease might help boost social functioning in some children and teens with autism spectrum disorder , a new small-scale clinical trial has found.

Memantine improved these kids’ social behaviors 56%, compared to a 21% improvement among kids taking a placebo, researchers reported in JAMA Network Open .

“Participants who responded to memantine showed improvements in social competence and a reduction in autism symptom severity, although they continued

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