Autism Therapy: beta blocker

definition of beta blocker: not yet defined.

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Autism Spectrum Disorders: Etiology and Pharmacotherapy
Current Drug Therapy, by Mohammedi, M. - R., and Akhondzadeh S., published in 2007, summarized Dec 19, 2008

This paper reviews the different drug therapies for autism.

For example, antipsychotics have been used as an autism treatment to decrease aggression and help with impulse control. Lithium has been shown to help with mood in adults with autism and manic problems. Propranolol (a beta blocker drug) has been shown to help severe aggression. Clonidine may help with hyperactivity and irritability in patients with autism. The authors conclude by stating that drug therapy should only be used to help with behavior and treat certain symptoms that are common in people with autism.


Effect of Propranolol on Verbal Problem Solving in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Neurocase, by Beversdorf, DQ, Carpenter AL, Miller RF, Cios JS, and Hillier A., published in 2008, summarized Dec 1, 2008

Beta blockers may help people with autism solve verbal problems.

This study was designed to see if propranolol can help with network flexibility/brain function in people with autism. Propranolol is a beta blocker drug that works on the noradrenergic system of the brain. Earlier studies have shown that propranolol helps with verbal problem solving in people who are under stress, and it is sometimes prescribed to people who suffer from post traumatic stress disorder. (PTSD) The authors found that propranolol hindered verbal problem solving in people who did not have autism. Patients with autism were helped, however, by propranolol.


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