Brief Report: Initial Trial of Alpha7-Nicotinic Receptor Stimulation in Two Adult Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Ann OlincyAudrey Blakeley-SmithLynn JohnsonWilliam R KemRobert FreedmanPublished in: Journal of autism and developmental disorders (2017)
Abnormalities in CHRNA7, the alpha7-nicotinic receptor gene, have been reported in autism spectrum disorder. These genetic abnormalities potentially decrease the receptor's expression and diminish its functional role. This double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study in two adult patients investigated whether an investigational receptor-specific partial agonist drug would increase the inhibitory functions of the gene and thereby increase patients' attention. An electrophysiological biomarker, P50 inhibition, verified the intended neurobiological effect of the agonist, and neuropsychological testing verified a primary cognitive effect. Both patients perceived increased attention in their self-ratings. Alpha7-nicotinic receptor agonists, currently the target of drug development in schizophrenia and Alzheimer Disease, may also have positive clinical effects in autism spectrum disorder.
Keyphrases
- autism spectrum disorder
- end stage renal disease
- double blind
- chronic kidney disease
- placebo controlled
- ejection fraction
- newly diagnosed
- genome wide
- clinical trial
- attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
- phase ii
- intellectual disability
- working memory
- study protocol
- phase iii
- bipolar disorder
- peritoneal dialysis
- patient reported outcomes
- copy number
- depressive symptoms
- radiation therapy
- mental health
- gene expression
- locally advanced
- patient reported
- mass spectrometry
- social support
- electronic health record