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Emerging evidence implicates dysfunction in \u03b3\u2010aminobutyric acid (GABA) signalling, the brain's primary inhibitory neurotransmitter system, in the pathogenesis of ASD. GABAergic neurotransmission plays a pivotal role in neurodevelopment, particularly in balancing excitatory and inhibitory signalling, synaptic plasticity and neural circuit maturation. Dysregulation in GABA synthesis, receptor expression and transport has been observed in both clinical and preclinical models of ASD, leading to disrupted neuronal connectivity and atypical behavioural phenotypes. This review critically explores the alterations in GABAergic signalling in ASD, highlighting the role of various GABA receptor subtypes (GABA\n                    <jats:sub>A<\/jats:sub>\n                    R, GABA\n                    <jats:sub>B<\/jats:sub>\n                    R and GABA\n                    <jats:sub>C<\/jats:sub>\n                    R) and associated transport and metabolic enzymes. The therapeutic implications of modulating GABAergic activity are also examined. Pharmacological agents, such as GABA receptor agonists, GABA reuptake inhibitors and GABA transaminase inhibitors, exhibit varied efficacy profiles. Among these, GABAB receptor agonists, including arbaclofen and baclofen, show the most promise in improving social behaviour and reducing core ASD symptoms. Conversely, some agents that elevate GABA levels, such as vigabatrin and valproic acid, may exacerbate ASD\u2010like features under certain conditions. Collectively, the data suggest that targeted modulation of GABAergic pathways, particularly GABA\n                    <jats:sub>B<\/jats:sub>\n                    receptor signalling, offers a viable avenue for therapeutic intervention in ASD. However, further mechanistic studies and well\u2010designed clinical trials are required to elucidate the optimal strategies for harnessing GABA modulation in ASD management.\n                  <\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1002\/jdn.70103","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,5]],"date-time":"2026-02-05T00:15:23Z","timestamp":1770250523000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":4,"title":["Unravelling GABA Dysfunction in Autism: Pathophysiological Insights and Emerging Treatments"],"prefix":"10.1002","volume":"86","author":[{"given":"Nahi\u00a0Sabih","family":"Alruwaili","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine Northern Border University  Arar Saudi Arabia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-3097-2962","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Hayder\u00a0M.","family":"Al\u2010Kuraishy","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Medicine, College of Medicine Mustansiriyah University  Baghdad Iraq"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Esraa\u00a0Hammadi","family":"Fahad","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy Mustansiriyah University  Baghdad Iraq"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Ali\u00a0I.","family":"Al\u2010Gareeb","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Jabir ibn Hayyan Medical University  Kufa, Najaf Iraq"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Suhair","family":"Alhelfawi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Special Need Department, School of Education Umm Al\u2010Qura University  Makkah Saudi Arabia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-9909-6318","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Aya\u00a0M.","family":"Mustafa","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy Egyptian Russian University  Badr City Cairo Egypt"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-2206-7236","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Athanasios","family":"Alexiou","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"University Centre for Research &amp; 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