Blood pressure drug being tested as possible treatment for Autism symptoms

New research has been conducted using a diuretic drug commonly used to treat high blood pressure to reduce the symptoms of autism and Asperger syndrome.  The drug, bumetanide, is believed to reduce the high levels of chloride ions in neurons sensitive to the neurotransmitter GABA and has been used for that purpose in epileptics.  In a study conducted on 60 children aged three to eleven where half recieved the drug and half recieved a placebo the drug appeared to be effective at reducing symptoms.  The effect wore off once the drug was discontinued.  More research is planned.  Read more at nature.com here:
http://www.nature.com/news/diuretic-drug-improves-symptoms-of-autism-1.12000
Read the research report in the journal Translational Psychiatry at nature.com here:
http://www.nature.com/tp/journal/v2/n12/full/tp2012124a.html