A groundbreaking study at the University of Missouri has discovered that propranolol, a drug typically used for high blood pressure, can also effectively reduce anxiety in children and young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
This finding, published in the journal Psychopharmacology, offers new hope for those with ASD who often experience higher levels of anxiety compared to their neurotypical peers.
David Beversdorf, a clinician at the Thompson Center, spearheaded this study involving 69 patients over three years.
The results were remarkable: participants taking propranolol showed significantly lower anxiety levels at 12-week check-ups compared to those in a placebo group. The study, however, did not observe significant changes in social communication skills.
This is a significant development in the field of autism treatment. Propranolol has been in use since the 1960s and is a cost-effective option.
Until now, there haven’t been any medications specifically targeting psychiatric issues in individuals with autism, making these findings particularly promising.
Beversdorf, who also holds positions in the MU School of Medicine and the MU College of Arts and Science, is enthusiastic about the potential of propranolol.
As a clinician, he has seen its positive impact on the quality of life for some patients with ASD and their families.
“I went into the field of neurology knowing I wanted to try to find new treatment options and interventions to benefit people with autism,” said Beversdorf, the William and Nancy Thompson Endowed Chair in Radiology. He sees this study as a step towards fulfilling that goal and improving patient care.
The study lays the groundwork for further research in this area and offers a new avenue for treatment in autism care.
If you care about autism, please read studies about a new cause of autism, and cats may help decrease anxiety for kids with autism.
For more information about health, please see recent studies about vitamin D that may hold the clue to more autism, and results showing strange eating habits may signal autism.
The research findings can be found in Psychopharmacology.
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