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document
Effect of propranolol on facial scanning in autism spectrum disorder : a preliminary investigation . BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder ( ASD ) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social communication impairments and restricted , repetitive behaviors . Whereas current pharmacological interventions for ASD focus primarily on psychiatric symptoms , including agitation and obsessive behaviors , few agents target core symptomatology . It has been previously hypothesized that abnormalities in facial scanning , such as reduced eye contact or increased mouth fixation , contribute to social communication deficits in ASD . In addition , previous reports have suggested elevated stress and anxiety in ASD , symptoms that are believed to impact facial scanning patterns . OBJECTIVES The present pilot study sought to explore the effects of pharmacological intervention via propranolol , a nonselective β-adrenergic antagonist and known anxiolytic , on facial scanning in ASD . Specifically , we wished to determine whether there is an increase in eye contact and a decrease in mouth fixation with administration of propranolol . METHOD A sample of 14 participants with ASD and 14 matched controls participated in two study sessions in which propranolol and placebo were administered in a counterbalanced , double-blinded manner . At each session , ocular fixation data were collected during presentation of video stimuli of 16 human faces . Fixation time on the eye , nose , and mouth regions of the face stimuli was analyzed . RESULTS The baseline fixation patterns for the ASD and control groups did not significantly differ ; however , administration of propranolol was associated with a significant reduction in mouth fixation for the ASD group . Additionally , mouth fixation was positively related to nonverbal communication impairment in the ASD group . CONCLUSIONS Although eye fixation in ASD appears typical in the present study , the effect of propranolol in reducing mouth fixation suggests an important focus for further research . Future studies are needed to better characterize the relationship between stress and anxiety and facial scanning in ASD , as well as the effects of pharmacological intervention .
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Intervention_Pharmacological
propranolol
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Intervention_Pharmacological
propranolol
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Outcome_Physical
ocular fixation data
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Outcome_Physical
mouth fixation
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Participant_Condition
autism spectrum disorder :
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Participant_Condition
Autism spectrum disorder ( ASD )
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Participant_Sample-size
14 participants
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Participant_Condition
the ASD and control groups