title: Brief Report: Initial Trial of Alpha7-Nicotinic Receptor Stimulation in Two Adult Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
abstract: Abnormalities in CHRNA7, the alpha7-nicotinic receptor gene, have been reported in autism spectrum disorder. These genetic abnormalities potentially decrease the receptor's expression and diminish its functional role. This double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study in two adult patients investigated whether an investigational receptor-specific partial agonist drug would increase the inhibitory functions of the gene and thereby increase patients' attention. An electrophysiological biomarker, P50 inhibition, verified the intended neurobiological effect of the agonist, and neuropsychological testing verified a primary cognitive effect. Both patients perceived increased attention in their self-ratings. Alpha7-nicotinic receptor agonists, currently the target of drug development in schizophrenia and Alzheimer Disease, may also have positive clinical effects in autism spectrum disorder.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA.
authors: Ann
authors: A
authors: Olincy
authors: Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA.|Department of Behavioral Pediatrics and JFK Partners, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA.
authors: Audrey
authors: A
authors: Blakeley-Smith
authors: Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA.
authors: Lynn
authors: L
authors: Johnson
authors: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Florida School of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA.
authors: William R
authors: WR
authors: Kem
authors: Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA. robert.freedman@ucdenver.edu.
authors: Robert
authors: 0000-0002-2181-2898
authors: R
authors: Freedman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention / Q000187:drug effects; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000503:physiopathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D064569:alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor / Q000819:agonists*
chemical_list: D018722:Nicotinic Agonists; D064569:alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor
keywords: Attention; Autism spectrum disorder; Receptors nicotinic; Sensory gating