Evaluation of memantine's efficacy and safety in the treatment of children with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The United States Food and Drug Administration has approved drugs that address only autism-related symptoms rather than the underlying impairments. N-Methyl-D-Aspartate  receptor antagonists have recently emerged as a promising treatment option for a variety of neurologic and developmental problems, including autism.

Aims: To review (systematically), for the first time, the medical literature that explores the safety in and efficacy of memantine in autism.