Beta-adrenergic blockers in mental retardation and developmental disabilities

Recent research on aetiology, development and phenomenology of self‐injurious behaviour in people with intellectual disabilities: a systematic review and implications for treatment

“…2011) with behavioural intervention, for example by using such medications to assist in controlling arousal during graduated exposure. Ruedrich & Erhardt (1999) suggested that following investigations for risk factors for their use, beta‐adrenergic blockers might be useful in controlling situational anxiety in some people with IDs. In cases of SIB involving SAM overreactivity (Symons et al .…”

“…The respondent/ operant model may therefore also provide a basis for integrating psychopharmacological treatment using adrenergic attenuating drugs ) with behavioural intervention, for example by using such medications to assist in controlling arousal during graduated exposure. Ruedrich & Erhardt (1999) suggested that following investigations for risk factors for their use, beta-adrenergic blockers might be useful in controlling situational anxiety in some people with IDs. In cases of SIB involving SAM overreactivity ), short-term use of these medications during graduated exposure interventions might disrupt associations between environmental stimuli and heightened arousal, thereby extinguishing (via Pavlovian processes) the ability of those stimuli to elicit SIB.…”

High-Dose Propranolol for Severe and Chronic Aggression in Autism Spectrum Disorder

“…Most of the literature is made up of case studies, although there have been 6 small double-blind and/or placebo-controlled studies. 19 While primarily targeting aggression, self-injury, and destructive behaviors, these studies administered propranolol to individuals with various psychiatric diagnoses, including intermittent explosive disorder (with and without known brain damage), conduct disorders, attention deficit disorder, schizophrenia, atypical psychosis, schizoaffective disorder, drug abuse, seizure disorder, borderline personality disorder, various types of intellectual disabilities with various etiologic origins, and dementia. [20][21][22][23] Some of these studies used mixed diagnostic populations with a wide range of participant ages, ranging from children to geriatric cases and over a wide range of cognitive levels.…”

“…The literature on the use of propranolol for these symptoms in a variety of psychiatric disorders is limited by lack of large rigorous studies. Most of the literature is made up of case studies, although there have been 6 small double-blind and/or placebo-controlled studies 19 . While primarily targeting aggression, self-injury, and destructive behaviors, these studies administered propranolol to individuals with various psychiatric diagnoses, including intermittent explosive disorder (with and without known brain damage), conduct disorders, attention deficit disorder, schizophrenia, atypical psychosis, schizoaffective disorder, drug abuse, seizure disorder, borderline personality disorder, various types of intellectual disabilities with various etiologic origins, and dementia 20–23 .…”

From Research to Practice: Toward the Examination of Combined Interventions for Autism Spectrum Disorders

“…Adrenergic agents have also been reported to reduce severe aggressive and self-injurious behaviors in people with ASD [45][46][47]. Most of the literature consists of case studies, although there have been several small double-blind, placebo-controlled studies involving patients with these symptoms [48]. These studies involved many different psychiatric diagnoses, including intermittent explosive disorder among people with various types of intellectual disabilities with various etiologic origins [49].…”