Rachel M Zamzow1, Bradley J Ferguson1, Janine P Stichter2, Eric C Porges3, Alexandra S Ragsdale4, Morgan L Lewis4,5, David Q Beversdorf6,7,8. 1. Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA. 2. Department of Special Education, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA. 3. Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory (CAM), Institute on Aging, McKnight Brain Institute, Department of Aging and Geriatric Research, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32608, USA. 4. Department of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA. 5. Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA. 6. Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA. beversdorfd@health.missouri.edu. 7. William and Nancy Thompson Endowed Chair in Radiology, Departments of Radiology and Neurology, and the Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA. beversdorfd@health.missouri.edu. 8. Department of Radiology, DC069.10, University of Missouri Health Care, One Hospital Dr, Columbia, MO, 65212, USA. beversdorfd@health.missouri.edu.
Abstract
RATIONALE: Pharmacological intervention for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is an important addition to treatment, yet currently available agents target co-morbid psychiatric concerns, such as aggression and irritability. Propranolol, a beta-adrenergic antagonist with anxiolytic effects, has been shown to improve verbal fluency and working memory in adults and adolescents with ASD in single-dose challenges. OBJECTIVES: The present pilot study explores the acute effects of propranolol on a measure of conversational reciprocity in this population. We also examined whether autonomic activity and anxiety moderate or mediate response to the drug, given relationships between these variables and ASD, as well as the drug's effects. METHODS: In a within-subject crossover design, 20 individuals with ASD received a single dose of propranolol or placebo during two sessions in a double-blinded, counterbalanced manner. After drug administration, participants performed a conversational reciprocity task by engaging in a short conversation with the researcher. Measurements of autonomic activity and anxiety were obtained before and after drug administration. RESULTS:Propranolol significantly improved performance on the conversational reciprocity task total [d = 0.40] and nonverbal communication domain scores when compared to the placebo condition. However, neither autonomic activity nor anxiety was significantly associated with drug response. CONCLUSIONS:Acute propranolol administration improved conversational reciprocity in ASD. Further exploration of these preliminary findings, as well as other potential treatment response predictors, with serial doses is warranted.
RCT Entities:
RATIONALE: Pharmacological intervention for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is an important addition to treatment, yet currently available agents target co-morbid psychiatric concerns, such as aggression and irritability. Propranolol, a beta-adrenergic antagonist with anxiolytic effects, has been shown to improve verbal fluency and working memory in adults and adolescents with ASD in single-dose challenges. OBJECTIVES: The present pilot study explores the acute effects of propranolol on a measure of conversational reciprocity in this population. We also examined whether autonomic activity and anxiety moderate or mediate response to the drug, given relationships between these variables and ASD, as well as the drug's effects. METHODS: In a within-subject crossover design, 20 individuals with ASD received a single dose of propranolol or placebo during two sessions in a double-blinded, counterbalanced manner. After drug administration, participants performed a conversational reciprocity task by engaging in a short conversation with the researcher. Measurements of autonomic activity and anxiety were obtained before and after drug administration. RESULTS:Propranolol significantly improved performance on the conversational reciprocity task total [d = 0.40] and nonverbal communication domain scores when compared to the placebo condition. However, neither autonomic activity nor anxiety was significantly associated with drug response. CONCLUSIONS: Acute propranolol administration improved conversational reciprocity in ASD. Further exploration of these preliminary findings, as well as other potential treatment response predictors, with serial doses is warranted.
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