Pharmacotherapy In Autism And Other Childhood Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Current Status

Topic: Pharmacotherapy In Autism And Other Childhood Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Current Status

Talk By: Dr. Gautam Kamila ( Speaker ), Dr. Puneet Choudhary ( Sepaker ), Prof. Sheffali Gulati ( Expert Faculty ).

When: February 17, 2024, at 9:00 AM Eastern Time ( US / Canada ).

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Dr. Gautam Kamila, MD Pediatrics (PGIMER, Chandigarh), DNB Pediatrics, DM Pediatric Neurology (AIIMS, New Delhi), is currently working as a Pediatric Neurologist in the Child Neurology Division, Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.

Dr. Puneet Choudhary, MD Pediatrics (AIIMS, New Delhi), DM Pediatric Neurology (AIIMS, New Delhi), is currently working as a Pediatric Neurologist in the Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Professor Sheffali Gulati (MD, FRCPCH (UK), FAMS, FIAP, FIMSA)​ co-founded South Asia's first DM Pediatric Neurology Program in 2004 and has directed it since April 2008. She pioneered pediatric neurology in India in academics, clinical care, patient education, research, advocacy, and public health. Her work in this subject has garnered many international/national awards. National Women Bio-scientist Award (Senior Category) – DBT (2021–2022), National Award - Science & Technology", DST 2021; 6th I C Verma Excellence 2018; Lifetime Achievement (2014), Academy of Pediatric Neurology, IAP; S. Janaki (Gold medal), NAMS 2016; Amrut Mody Unichem -2015, ICMR; Sheila Wallace Award (1st Indian), ICNA 2014; Atal Swasthya Bhushan Samman, 2019; 5 AIIMS Excellence Research Awards 2014–2020; ISNS Award, Japan 2011; Fellowship, McGill1990. Professor Gulati pioneered autism services in North India and worked on screening/diagnosis, therapy, research (AI, VR, AR, BCI, AAC), and advocacy. She is INSAR's India Global Senior Leader and AOCN's India President. She is also faculty in charge of the Centre of Excellence and Advanced Research for Childhood Neurodevelopmental Disorders, AIIMS, New Delhi; National Guidelines Coordinator, AOPN; Executive Board Member and Co-Convenor, Pediatric Epilepsy Subsection, Indian Epilepsy Society; Editor, Autism, Sage Journals; and Adjunct Faculty, National Brain Research Centre (NBRC), New Delhi. She specializes in epilepsy, Autism, neuromuscular illnesses, cerebral palsy, neuromodulation, and neurorehabilitation and has over 400 peer-reviewed papers.

In the complex realm of childhood neurodevelopmental disorders, a pharmacotherapeutic update is vital for clinicians and researchers alike. Autism demands tailored pharmacological approaches, along with the mainstay behavioral therapy. Addressing core symptoms involves a nuanced strategy; antipsychotics such as risperidone and aripiprazole may target irritability and aggression, while SSRIs could alleviate anxiety and repetitive behaviors. There is a lot of ongoing research in exploring the various possible therapeutic interest targets. Emerging trends, like N-acetylcysteine (NAC) for irritability reduction and oxytocin modulation for social cognition enhancement, indicate the evolving landscape of ASD interventions. Precision medicine also plays an important role in counseling the parents of children with Autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders.
Despite advancements, challenges persist, necessitating vigilant monitoring for side effects and ethical considerations in pediatric pharmacotherapy. The nuanced risk-benefit analysis is crucial, balancing symptom relief with potential adverse effects.


By attending the session, you will be able to learn the following points:

• Current evidence regarding usage of various medications in Autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders
• When to start medications and when not to
• Overcoming parental apprehensions in starting these medications
• Future research and evolving scope

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