View clinical trials related to Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Filter by:The purpose of this study is to determine if treatment of epileptiform abnormalities in children with autism spectrum disorder will improve any behaviors in these children. The investigators will study a number of different behavioral outcomes including behaviors related to attention, social communication, repetitive behaviors, maladaptive behaviors, language, motor and sensory, and sleep. The investigators will use an anticonvulsant medication called valproic acid (in the form of sodium divalproex).
: The objective of this study is to determine the tolerability and therapeutic potential of oxytocin in children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) when paired with a computer game intervention that is designed to enhance face perception skills. We designate two measures as our primary outcomes, based on prior published work with these interventions, and we propose a sample based on power analyses from these prior results. A second objective of this study is to learn about the breadth of possible positive effects that this combination therapy might have for children with ASD. To this end, we include a host of other exploratory measures that assess aspects of social motivation and attention, social perception, and social cognition. Thus, a second objective is to conduct a "signal finding" study - to gather outcome data on a range of dependent variables that theoretically should be related to oxytocin's effects on social processes, but for which there are no prior data. The signal finding aspect of this study will provide the preliminary data needed to design a more targeted follow up study.
The purpose of this study was to study the effect of stem cell therapy on common symptoms in patients with autism spectrum disorders
The main objective of this exploratory 8 week pilot study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of buspirone for the treatment of anxiety in youth (ages 6-17 years) with autism spectrum disorders. The study results will be used to generate hypotheses for a larger randomized controlled clinical trial with explicit hypotheses and sufficient statistical power.
The purpose of this study is to determine if intrathecal administration of baclofen can reduce symptoms of severe tactile defensiveness and autism spectrum disorder.
Background: - Electroencephalography (EEG) records electric patterns produced by the brain, and can detect conditions such as epilepsy or other l abnormalities that may affect brain function. In EEG studies, electric patterns that resemble epileptic seizures are known as epileptiform pattern. These patterns are associated with an increased risk of seizures, even in people who have not been diagnosed with epilepsy. Epileptiform patterns also appear on the EEGs of some children who have autism spectrum disorders but do not have epilepsy. It is unclear if these discharges are related in any way to the symptoms of autism (behavior, language or intellectual abilities). - Divalproex sodium (Depakote) is a drug that has been used for many years to treat epilepsy and other brain disorders in children and adults. Researchers are interested determining whether treatment with divalproex sodium can reduce epileptiform patterns in children with autism spectrum disorders, and in doing so study whether this treatment can improve behavior, language or cognition in children with autism spectrum disorders. Objectives: - To study the effectiveness of using divalproex sodium to reduce epileptiform EEG discharges in children with autism spectrum disorders. Eligibility: - Children between 3 and 10 years of age who have an autism spectrum disorder and show frequent epileptiform discharges on an overnight EEG. Design: - This study will last for a total of 9 months, with 6 months of treatment with either divalproex sodium or a placebo followed by 3 months of treatment with divalproex sodium only. - Potential participants will be screened with a physical examination and medical history, blood samples, and psychological tests, and will spend the night in the NIH Clinical Center to have an overnight EEG. Children with frequent epileptiform abnormalities on the EEG will continue with the study; all others will be considered ineligible. - Eligible participants will receive either divalproex sodium or a placebo to be taken twice daily for 24 weeks. Neither the investigators nor the participants will know which they are taking. - Participants will have regular visits (every 2-4 weeks) to monitor for adverse effects and to test for possible behavioral improvement, and will also have overnight EEG testing at 12 and 24 weeks. - At the end of the 24-week study period, participants will have the option to have an additional 12 weeks of treatment with divalproex sodium. - A final evaluation (including EEG) will be conducted at the end of the final treatment period.