View clinical trials related to Autism.
Filter by:Autism is a behaviorally defined, lifelong disorder of the brain, affecting at least 1-2 per 1000 children. There is an increasing trend of autism worldwide. However, to date, there is still no cure for this devastating childhood disease. Autism is characterized by deficit in language, social communication and repetitive behavior. It is estimated that the annual cost of care for autism is $13 billion in USA alone. Children with autism usually have associated behavioral problems such as aggressiveness, stereotypes, hyperactivity, emotional lability, and short attention span. The National Institute of Child Health & Human Development and National Institute of Deafness & Communication Disorders have jointly founded the Collaborative Programs of Excellence in Autism. One of the long-term NIH goals is to develop or refine interim treatment strategy and to develop effective biological, behavioral or alternative treatment strategy for autism. There is a dire need for early identification and treatment of children with autism. Acupuncture has been practised in China for 2 millennia. The legal status of acupuncture as a treatment technique was approved by Food & Drugs Administration in USA (1997). The therapeutic effect of acupuncture is based on stimulation at specific acupoints resulting in both local and distant effect via improving signal or modulation of electromagnetic energy. There had lack of studies of acupuncture in autism. We hope that we can study the efficacy of acupuncture in autism using clinical measurement. We hope to identify the role of acupuncture as an adjunctive treatment for autism.
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder currently affecting as many as 1 out of 166 children in the United States. Autism is considered by many to be a permanent condition with little hope for improvement. Treatment for autism is centered on special schooling and behavioral therapy; medical science currently has little to offer. Recent research has discovered that some autistic individuals have decreased blood flow to the brain, evidence of gastrointestinal and brain inflammation, increased markers of oxidative stress, and a relative mitochondrial dysfunction. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) can compensate for decreased blood flow by increasing the oxygen content of plasma and body tissues and can even normalize oxygen levels in ischemic tissue. In addition, animal studies have shown that HBOT has potent anti-inflammatory effects and reduces oxidative stress. Furthermore, recent evidence demonstrates that HBOT increases the production of mitochondria and mobilizes stem cells from human bone marrow, which may aid recovery in neurodegenerative diseases. Based upon these findings, it is hypothesized that HBOT will improve symptoms in autistic individuals. Our recent retrospective case series demonstrated that HBOT may improve symptoms in autistic children. We recently completed a prospective pilot trial using HBOT in 18 children which demonstrated significant clinical improvements in autistic children on several standardized scales. Most of the scales were parent-rated, although some were rated by teachers. However, parents were not blinded to the fact that their children received HBOT and evaluation of the children was through parent-rated scales, either of which could lead to bias. There was no placebo or control group. Therefore, the improvements found in this prospective study could have been due merely to chance or the natural development of the children. To determine if HBOT improves symptoms in autistic children, a double-blind controlled study is needed.
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that currently affects as many as 1 out of 166 children in the United States. Autism is considered by many to be a permanent condition with little hope for improvement. Treatment for autism is centered on special schooling and behavioral therapy; medical science currently has little to offer. Recent research has discovered that some autistic individuals have decreased blood flow to the brain, evidence of inflammation in the brain, and increased markers of oxidative stress. Multiple independent single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) research studies have revealed hypoperfusion to several areas of the autistic brain, most notably the temporal regions and areas specifically related to language comprehension and auditory processing. Several studies show that diminished blood flow to these areas correlates with many of the clinical features associated with autism including repetitive, self-stimulatory and stereotypical behaviors, and impairments in communication, sensory perception, and social interaction. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been used with clinical success in several cerebral hypoperfusion syndromes including cerebral palsy, fetal alcohol syndrome, closed head injury, and stroke. HBOT can compensate for decreased blood flow by increasing the oxygen content of plasma and body tissues and can even normalize oxygen levels in ischemic tissue. In addition, animal studies have shown that HBOT has potent anti-inflammatory effects and reduces oxidative stress. Furthermore, recent evidence demonstrates that HBOT mobilizes stem cells from human bone marrow which may aid recovery in neurodegenerative diseases. Based upon these findings, it is hypothesized that HBOT will improve symptoms in autistic individuals. The purpose of this study is to determine if HBOT improves clinical outcomes in children with autism. The study will also determine if HBOT changes markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in autistic children.
The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of aripiprazole monotherapy in the treatment of children and adolescents suffering from ASD over a 12-week period. We hypothesize that aripiprazole may be helpful in reducing ASD-associated symptoms of anxiety and aggression, resulting in significant improvements in global outcome.
1. Purpose of this study is to determine whether NAET procedures are effective in the treatment of children with allergy-related autism spectrum disorders in restoring their verbal and nonverbal communication. 2. Hypothesis: Children in the experimental group will show a significant improvement over the control group in verbal and nonverbal communication as most food allergen groups, environmental allergen groups, childhood immunizations, and some other relevant allergenic substances are desensitized in a systematic way using NAET® procedures within the specified period of study.
To study the effect of oxytocin on face processing and response inhibition in autistic adults by fMRI.
This study will look at the changes taking place in the blood levels of key markers of oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is the biological equivalent of rust on a car. It changes vital cell chemistry. It is known to occur at high pressure oxygen, but little is known about changes at pressures slightly greater than normal atmospheric pressure. Hyperbaric therapy is used in a variety of medical conditions. It is being tested in this study only for safety. It is not being assessed for the ability of hyperbaric oxygen to improve the clinical condition of children with autism. This study was felt to be important since autism appears to be associated with oxidative stress and hyperbarics was being used "off-label" for this condition without safety studies.
Autism is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder that affects up to 16 in 10,000 individuals. It is a pervasive developmental disorder affecting social, communicative, and compulsive/repetitive behaviors characterized by stereotypic complex hand and body movements, craving for sameness, and narrow repetitive interests. Autism severely impacts both the affected individual and family members. The proposed study is designed to assess the efficacy of treatment with Galantamine vs. placebo in childhood/adolescent autism fulfilling DSM-IV and Autism Diagnostic Interview (ADI) criteria. We therefore hypothesize: 1. Galantamine will be superior to placebo in the acute treatment of global autism. 2. Galantamine will be superior to placebo in improving functional ability. 3. Galantamine will be superior to placebo in improving language function. 4. Galantamine will be superior to placebo improving irritable and hyperactive behavior. 5. Galantamine will be superior to placebo in improving social deficits.
This study will examine the effectiveness of riluzole for treating Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in Youth, Including those with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
1. We hypothesize that children in the experimental group will show a significant improvement over the control group as all food allergens groups and some other relevant allergenic substances are desensitized in a systematic way using the NAET® methodology within the specified period of study.