54134
document
Noradrenergic moderation of working memory impairments in adults with autism spectrum disorder . In addition to having difficulties with social communications , individuals with an autism spectrum disorder ( ASD ) often also experience impairment in higher-order , executive skills . The present study examined the effects of pharmacological modulation of the norepinephrine system on the severity of such impairments . A sample of 14 high-functioning adults with ASD and a demographically-matched comparison group of 13 typically developing individuals participated . An AX continuous performance test ( AX-CPT ) was used to evaluate working memory and inhibitory control . AX-CPT performance was assessed following administration of a single dose of propranolol ( a beta adrenergic antagonist ) and following placebo ( sugar pill ) administration . Individuals with ASD performed more poorly than non-ASD individuals in the working memory condition ( BX trials ) . Importantly , administration of propranolol attenuated this impairment , with the ASD group performing significantly better in the propranolol condition than the placebo condition . Working memory performance of the non-ASD group was unaffected by propranolol/placebo administration . No group or medication effects were observed for the inhibition condition ( AY trials ) . The present findings suggest that norepinephrine may play a role in some , but not necessarily all , cognitive impairments associated with ASD . Additional research is needed to fully understand whether this role is primarily causal or compensatory in nature .
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Intervention_Pharmacological
propranolol ( a beta adrenergic antagonist )
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Intervention_Control
placebo
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Intervention_Pharmacological
propranolol
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Outcome_Other
moderation
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Outcome_Mental
impairment in higher-order , executive skills
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Outcome_Mental
AX continuous performance test ( AX-CPT )
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Outcome_Mental
AX-CPT performance
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Outcome_Mental
attenuated this impairment
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Outcome_Mental
Working memory performance
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Outcome_Other
effects
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Outcome_Mental
inhibition condition
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Outcome_Mental
cognitive impairments
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Participant_Age
adults
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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
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Participant_Age
adults
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Participant_Condition
ASD
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Participant_Sample-size
13
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Participant_Condition
ASD