Methods of treating fragile X syndrome and autism

1. A method of improving a social domain in a human having autistic disorder, comprising the step of administering to the human a composition that includes a therapeutically effective amount of at least one gamma-aminobutyric acid agonist.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) agonist is a GABA(B) agonist.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the GABA(B) agonist includes baclofen.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the baclofen is orally administered to the human.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the baclofen is administered to the human in a dose of at least one member selected from the group consisting of about 2.5 mg, about 5 mg, about 10 mg, about 15 mg, about 20 mg, about 25 mg, about 30 mg, about 40 mg, about 45 mg, about 50 mg and about 100 mg.

6. The method of claim 4 , wherein the baclofen is administered in a single daily dose.

7. The method of claim 4 , wherein the baclofen is administered to the human in multiple daily doses.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the baclofen is administered to the human in at least one member selected from the group consisting of two daily doses, three daily doses, four daily doses and five daily doses.

9. The method of claim 3 , wherein the baclofen is R-baclofen.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the R-baclofen administered to the human includes at least one member selected from the group consisting of about 85 mole percent R-baclofen, at least about 90 mole percent R-baclofen, at least about 95 mole percent R-baclofen and at least about 99 mole percent R-baclofen.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the baclofen administered to the human is at least about 99 mole percent R-baclofen.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the human further has fragile X syndrome.

13. The method of claim 1 , further including the step of administering at least one member selected from the group consisting of an antidepressant, an α2-adrenergic agonist, an anticonvulsant, a nicotinic receptor agonist, an endocannabinoid receptor agonist, an anticonvulsant, an anti-psychotic, an AMPA agonist and a M1 muscarinic receptor antagonist to the human.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the M1 muscarinic receptor antagonist is administered.

15. The method of claim 1 , further including administering Formula II to the human.

16. The method of claim 1 , further including administering a Group I mGluR antagonist to the human.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the mGluR antagonist includes a mGluR5 antagonist.

18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the mGluR antagonist includes a mGluR1 antagonist.

19. The method of claim 1 , wherein the improvement in the social domain following administration of the gamma-aminobutyric acid agonist to the human further includes a decrease in at least one member selected from the group consisting of an obsessive compulsive disorder, a sensory hyperarousal disorder, an anxiety disorder, a seizure disorder, irritability, aggression, startle tremor, repetitive/self-stimulatory behavior, eye diversion, hand biting, hitting of the head, and hitting of others.

20. The method of claim 1 , wherein the improvement in the social domain following administration of the gamma-aminobutyric acid agonist to the human includes an increase in at least one member selected from the group consisting of an appropriate response to spoken language, spontaneous attempts to interact, eye contact, motivation and calmness.

21. The method of claim 1 , wherein the improvement in the social domain following administration of the GABA agonist to the human further includes an improvement in mood.

22. The method of claim 1 , wherein administration of the gamma-aminobutyric acid agonist to the human further improves a communication domain in the human.

23. The method of claim 22 , wherein the improvement in the communication domain includes an improvement in verbal language.

24. The method of claim 1 , wherein administration of the gamma-aminobutyric acid agonist to the human further improves a cognitive function in the human.

25. The method of claim 24 , wherein the improvement in the cognitive function includes an improvement in at least one member selected from the group consisting of memory, learning, attention, executive function, information processing, conceptualization, alertness and problem solving.

26. A method of improving at least one member selected from the group consisting of a social domain and a communication domain in a human having autistic disorder, comprising the step of administering to the human a composition that includes a therapeutically effective amount at least one gamma-aminobutyric acid agonist.

27. The method of claim 26 , wherein the human further has fragile X syndrome.

28. The method of claim 26 , wherein the gamma-aminobutyric acid agonist administered to the human includes a GABA(B) agonist.

29. The method of claim 28 , wherein the GABA(B) agonist includes baclofen.

30. The method of claim 29 , wherein the baclofen includes at least one member selected from the group consisting of at least about 80 mole percent R-baclofen, at least about 85 mole percent R-baclofen, at least about 90 mole percent R-baclofen, at least about 95 mole percent R-baclofen and at least about 99 mole percent R-baclofen.

31. The method of claim 29 , wherein the baclofen is orally administered to the human.

32. The method of claim 30 , wherein the R-baclofen is orally administered to the human.

33. A method of improving at least one member selected from the group consisting of a social domain and a communication domain in a human having autistic disorder, comprising the step of orally administering to the human a composition that includes a therapeutically effective amount at least about 90 mole percent R-baclofen in the composition.

34. The method of claim 33 , wherein the human further has fragile X syndrome.

35. A method of decreasing at least one member selected from the group consisting of irritability and aggression in a human having autistic disorder, comprising the step of administering to the human a composition that includes a therapeutically effective amount at least one gamma-aminobutyric acid agonist.

36. The method of claim 35 , wherein the human further has fragile X syndrome.

37. The method of claim 35 , wherein the gamma-aminobutyric acid agonist administered to the human includes a GABA(B) agonist.

38. The method of claim 37 , wherein the GABA(B) agonist includes baclofen.

39. The method of claim 38 , wherein the baclofen is R-baclofen.

40. The method of claim 38 , wherein the baclofen includes at least one member selected from the group consisting of at least about 80 mole percent R-baclofen, at least about 85 mole percent R-baclofen, at least about 90 mole percent R-baclofen, at least about 95 mole percent R-baclofen and at least about 99 mole percent R-baclofen.

41. The method of claim 38 , wherein the baclofen is orally administered to the human.

42. A method of improving at least one member selected from the group consisting of a social domain and a communication domain in a human having autistic disorder, comprising the step of orally administering to the human a composition that includes a therapeutically effective amount at least about 99 mole percent R-baclofen in the composition.

43. The method of claim 42 , wherein the human further has fragile X syndrome.

44. A method of decreasing at least one member selected from the group consisting of irritability and aggression in a human having autistic disorder, comprising the step of orally administering to the human a composition that includes a therapeutically effective amount at least about 99 mole percent R-baclofen in the composition.

45. The method of claim 44 , wherein the human further has fragile X syndrome.

46. A method of improving a social domain in a human having autistic disorder, comprising the step of orally administering to the human a composition that includes a therapeutically effective amount of baclofen.

47. The method of claim 46 , wherein the human administered the composition further has an improvement in a communication domain.

48. A method of improving a social domain in a human having autistic disorder, comprising the step of orally administering to the human a composition that includes a therapeutically effective amount of at least about 99 mole percent R-baclofen in the composition.

49. The method of claim 47 , wherein the human administered the composition further has an improvement in a communication domain.

50. A method of treating a human having fragile X syndrome, comprising the step of administering to the human a composition that includes a therapeutically effective amount of at least one M1 muscarinic receptor antagonist.

51. The method of claim 50 , wherein the human administered the composition further has autistic disorder.

52. The method of claim 50 , further including administering at least one Group I mGluR antagonist to the human.

53. The method of claim 52 , wherein the Group I mGluR antagonist includes an mGluR5 antagonist.

54. The method of claim 52 , wherein the Group I mGluR antagonist includes an mGluR1 antagonist.