Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Trial
Official title:
Psychopathological Differences Between Asperger Syndrome/Normal IQ, no Language Impairment Autism Spectrum Disorder and Schizotypal Disorder in an Adult Sample
The purpose of this study is to identify psychopathology (psychiatric symptoms) that can
differentiate between Schizotypal Disorder (SD) and Asperger Syndrome (normal IQ, no language
impairment Autism Spectrum Disorder) (AS) in young adults.
With our present knowledge, the differentiation between AS and SD can be difficult, as they
both present with social difficulties, odd (but not psychotic) behaviour, and a 'feeling of
not being as everyone else'. Studies suggest that adults with AS symptoms are either
overlooked, or diagnosed within the schizophrenia spectrum in Adult Psychiatry.
A 'correct' diagnosis is important, as it is the first step towards the most optimal plan,
treatment and rehabilitation for the patient. The only way to diagnose psychiatric illness is
the description of present psychopathology.
To identify symptoms that can differentiate between the two disorders, we will use
semi-structured interviews to explore present psychopathology in young adults with typical
symptoms of SD and AS respectively, with special focus on presence of alterations in
self-experience. Alterations in self-experience are typical for the schizophrenia spectrum,
and are therefore not thought to be equally present in AS and SD.
The hypotheses are that the total level of altered experiences is higher in SD, than in AS,
and with a different pattern of altered experiences in SD than in AS. If the hypotheses are
true, an examination of altered self-experience will be valuable to aid clinical
differentiation between the two disorders.
Background: SD is a non-psychotic disorder within the Schizophrenia Spectrum (in ICD-10), and
has a prevalence of 3.9 % in adult samples. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a pervasive
developmental disorder (including AS), has a prevalence of 1 %.
SD is typically diagnosed in young adults, whereas AS typically is diagnosed in childhood.
Sometimes however, the AS symptoms first become invalidating in young adulthood, where social
demands exceed the individual's capacity. In these cases, patients with symptoms
corresponding to AS, might first be diagnosed as young adults. In Adult Psychiatry though,
experience with diagnosing ASD is scarce, and studies suggest that adult patients presenting
with symptoms corresponding to AS, are either overlooked, or diagnosed within the
schizophrenia spectrum.
Psychiatric diagnosis: Description of present psychopathology is the only way to diagnose
psychiatric illness. An accurate diagnosis is crucial for a relevant treatment and
rehabilitation plan for the individual patient, as the diagnosis guides the help and support
offered. Further, to properly guide neuro-psychiatric research, high diagnostic accuracy is
imperative. This study will refer to the diagnostic criteria defined in ICD-10, when
including participants, as ICD-10 is the principal diagnostic system in Denmark.
Altered self-experience: Alterations in self-experience are considered highly specific for
the schizophrenia spectrum, and are therefore not thought to be present in equal amounts
and/or distribution in ASD. If this is true, an examination of anomalous self-experiences
would be valuable to aid clinical differentiation between SD and AS. For patients with
altered self-experience, the experience of him-/herself as a subject is disturbed. This means
that the form and structure (rather than content) of the patients' thoughts and experiences
is altered.
Aim, objectives and hypotheses: The aim is to do an in depth exploration of differences in
present psychopathology (psychiatric symptoms) in young adults with SD and AS. This will
elaborate and refine our understanding of SD and AS specifically, and ASD and schizophrenia
spectrum disorders in general.
The objectives are to; 1. Explore differences in psychopathology between young adults with SD
and AS and, 2. Contribute to both the general and the specific (in SD and AS respectively)
description of the autism concept.
The hypotheses are that; 1. The total level of altered experiences (EASE total score) is
higher in SD than in AS and, 2. The pattern of most occurring altered experiences (individual
EASE items) is different in AS, compared to SD.
Material and methods: The study is observational and comparative in design, and will include
100 participants; 50 diagnosed with SD, and 50 with AS. The included subjects medical history
will be revised by two senior psychiatric consultants, ensuring identification of
participants with typical symptoms. Further, all included participants will be assessed with
three semi-structured psychopathological interviews, general symptom and functional scores
and self-reports.
Co-ratings: All study interviews will be videotaped, and a subset of the taped SCAN and EASE
interviews will be co-rated within the research group. Co-ratings will also routinely be
performed amongst psychologists at The Danish Autism Centre, who conducts the ADOS
interviews.
Statistical analyses: To investigate between group differences, group wise comparisons
between SCAN algorithms, ADOS algorithms and EASE outcomes will be applied. Further,
secondary correlations across psychopathological domains will be explored, and explorative
cross-diagnostic factor analysis will be performed.
Ethical considerations: Prior to inclusion a differentiated informed consent will be obtained
from all participants.
;
Status | Clinical Trial | Phase | |
---|---|---|---|
Completed |
NCT05207956 -
App for Strengthening Services In Specialized Therapeutic Support
|
N/A | |
Completed |
NCT03286621 -
Development of Eye-tracking Based Markers for Autism in Young Children
|
||
Completed |
NCT02608333 -
Efficiency of Early Intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorder
|
N/A | |
Recruiting |
NCT05935722 -
Evaluation of a Home-based Parenting Support Program: Parenting Young Children
|
N/A | |
Active, not recruiting |
NCT06259539 -
A YouTube Curriculum for Children With Autism and Obesity
|
N/A | |
Active, not recruiting |
NCT06303791 -
Digital-based Psychosocial Intervention for Parents of Children With Neurodevelopmental Disorders
|
N/A | |
Enrolling by invitation |
NCT05017779 -
A Hybrid Effectiveness-implementation Trial of a High School-based Executive Function Treatment for Autistic Youth
|
N/A | |
Completed |
NCT04772898 -
Effectiveness of a 6-week Hippotherapy Program in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
|
N/A | |
Recruiting |
NCT04987541 -
The Therapeutic Effect of TBS Stimulation on Emotion Regulation in Autism Spectrum Disorder
|
N/A | |
Completed |
NCT04308915 -
Mobile-based Games for Cognitive Training in Children With Neurodevelopmental Disorders
|
N/A | |
Completed |
NCT06038435 -
The Effect of Cognitive Orientation Approach on Daily Occupational Performance With Autism Spectrum Disorder
|
N/A | |
Terminated |
NCT04049981 -
Investigation of Mechanisms of Action in Superpower Glass
|
Phase 1/Phase 2 | |
Completed |
NCT03693313 -
The Effect of CrossFit Kids on Social Skills in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder (CrossFit KAMP)
|
N/A | |
Recruiting |
NCT04107064 -
Achieving Steady Work Among Adults With Autism Through Specialized Employment Program
|
N/A | |
Recruiting |
NCT03812068 -
Parent-mediated Developmental Behavioral Intervention
|
N/A | |
Completed |
NCT03206996 -
Exposure Therapy for Auditory Sensitivity in Autism
|
N/A | |
Completed |
NCT02299700 -
Study to Evaluate the Janssen Autism Knowledge Engine in Children and Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder
|
N/A | |
Completed |
NCT03422016 -
Electroretinogram in Autistic Spectrum Disorders
|
||
Active, not recruiting |
NCT03548779 -
North Carolina Genomic Evaluation by Next-generation Exome Sequencing, 2
|
N/A | |
Recruiting |
NCT05114538 -
Improving the Part C Early Intervention Service Delivery System for Children With ASD
|
N/A |