title: Effects of acute beta-adrenergic antagonism on verbal problem solving in autism spectrum disorder and exploration of treatment response markers.
abstract: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by impairments in social communication as well as restricted, repetitive behaviors. Evidence suggests that some individuals with ASD have cognitive impairments related to weak central coherence and hyperrestricted processing. Reducing noradrenergic activity may improve aspects of network processing and thus improve cognitive abilities, such as verbal problem solving, in individuals with ASD. The present pilot study explores the effects of acute administration of the beta-adrenergic antagonist propranolol on verbal problem solving in adults and adolescents with ASD. In a within-subject crossover-design, 20 participants with ASD received a single dose of propranolol or placebo on one of two sessions in a double-blinded, counterbalanced manner. Verbal problem solving was assessed via an anagram task. Baseline measurements of autonomic nervous system functioning were obtained, and anxiety was assessed at baseline and following drug administration. Participants solved the anagrams more quickly in the propranolol condition, as compared to the placebo condition, suggesting a potential cognitive benefit of this agent. Additionally, we observed a negative linear relationship between response to propranolol on the anagram task and two measures of baseline autonomic activity, as well as a positive linear relationship between drug response and baseline anxiety. These relationships propose potential markers for treatment response, as propranolol influences both autonomic functioning and anxiety. Further investigation is needed to expand on the present single-dose psychopharmacological challenge and explore the observed effects of propranolol in a serial-dose setting.
authors.affiliation: a Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program , University of Missouri , Columbia , MO , USA.
authors.forename: Rachel M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Zamzow
authors.affiliation: a Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program , University of Missouri , Columbia , MO , USA.
authors.forename: Bradley J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Ferguson
authors.affiliation: b Department of Biological Sciences , University of Missouri , Columbia , MO , USA.
authors.forename: Alexandra S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Ragsdale
authors.affiliation: b Department of Biological Sciences , University of Missouri , Columbia , MO , USA.|c Department of Psychological Sciences , University of Missouri , Columbia , MO , USA.
authors.forename: Morgan L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.affiliation: c Department of Psychological Sciences , University of Missouri , Columbia , MO , USA.|d Departments of Radiology and Neurology , University of Missouri , Columbia , MO , USA.
authors.forename: David Q
authors.initials: DQ
authors.lastname: Beversdorf
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011340:Problem Solving / Q000187:drug effects*; D011433:Propranolol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014705:Verbal Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D011433:Propranolol
keywords: Autism; Autonomic; Noradrenergic; Propranolol; Verbal problem solving