High-dose propranolol for severe and chronic aggression in autism spectrum disorder

The symptoms of irritability associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) include aggression, tantrums, self-injury, and disruption. Propranolol, a beta-blocker, has accumulated much anecdotal evidence as a promising option for symptoms of these disorders, but well-designed studies are rare.

Dr. Eric London is the lead author of the article “High-dose propranolol for severe and chronic aggression in autism spectrum disorder: A pilot, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized crossover study,” which is published in the September-October 2024 issue of the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology. The article describes its effectiveness in decreasing aggression in individuals with ASD. As this was a small study, a larger clinical trial is needed.

Dr. London is director of Autism Treatment Research at the New York State Institute for Basic Research. In this podcast, he offers extensive background on treatment challenges and the difficult core symptoms of ASD.