Effect of propranolol on verbal problem solving in autism spectrum disorder

Authors: Beversdorf, David¹; Carpenter, Allen²; Miller, Regan³; Cios, Jacquelyne³; Hillier, Ashleigh⁴

Source: Neurocase, Volume 14, Number 4, September 2008 , pp. 378-383(6)

Publisher: Psychology Press, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

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Abstract:

The noradrenergic system modulates performance on tasks dependent on semantic and associative network flexibility (NF) in individuals without neurodevelopmental diagnoses in experiments using a beta-adrenergic antagonist, propranolol. Some studies suggest drugs decreasing noradrenergic activity are beneficial in ASD. In individuals without neurodevelopmental diagnoses, propranolol is beneficial only for difficult NF-dependent problems. However, in populations with altered noradrenergic regulation, propranolol also benefits performance for simple problems. Due to decreased flexibility of access to networks in ASD, we wished to examine the effect of propranolol on NF in ASD. ASD subjects benefited from propranolol on simple anagrams, whereas control subjects were impaired by propranolol. Further study will be necessary to confirm this finding in a larger sample and to compare clinical response with cognitive response to propranolol.

Keywords: Autism; Asperger syndrome; Noradrenergic; Semantic; Language; Problem solving; Propranolol

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13554790802368661

Affiliations: 1: Departments of Radiology, Neurology, and Psychology, and the Thompson Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA,Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA,Neuroscience Graduate Studies Program, Th 2: Neuroscience Graduate Studies Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA 3: Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA 4: Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA, USA

Publication date: 2008-09-01