View clinical trials related to Pervasive Developmental Disorder.
Filter by:This study was developed in order to assess the effects of risperidone (Risperdal) as compared with placebo on cognitive-motor performance (attention, memory, and hand steadiness) and body movements. We propose to study the effects of risperidone on cognitive-motor performance in children already medicated for severe conduct problems. We would also like to look at safety by assessing these children for dyskinetic movements. We already have a sizable cohort of children maintained on risperidone. Our hypotheses are as follows: 1. Risperidone will have no adverse effects on cognitive-motor performance in children who have received maintenance therapy for 4 to 20 months. 2. Children tested during placebo will show no more dyskinetic movements than during risperidone treatment (i.e., there will be no unmasking of tardive dyskinesia).
There are two phases to the study. The first will examine serum copper and zinc levels and copper/zinc ratio in children (ages 3-8) who have autism and compare them to levels from same sex and age children who are developing typically. The hypothesis is that there is a significant difference in the copper/zinc ratio between young children who have autism and their typically developing peers. The second phase of the study will evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation using zinc and vitamin C for 16 weeks on selected symptoms of autism. Children with autism will be enrolled on the basis of copper/zinc ratios greater than 2.0, and as determined to be statistically higher than typically developing children. Measurements of serum copper, zinc and unbound copper will be obtained prior to, at the mid-point and end of the trial. Those children whose ratios have not fallen below 1.25, the top of the currently recognized range will have the zinc and vitamin C doses adjusted for the duration of the trial. Detailed evaluation of language skills, and a variety of behaviors will be evaluated prior to and after supplementation. The study will be placebo-controlled and double blind. Those children enrolled in the placebo arm will be offered a full trial of supplements at the end of the their participation in the study. The hypothesis to be tested is whether correction of elevated copper to zinc ratios in children with autism can be accomplished by oral supplementation with zinc and vitamin C and if these children show measurable and significant changes in receptive or expressive language or behavioral parameters associated with autism.
This study will examine the effects of low-dose naltrexone (LDN) on children with autistic spectrum disorders. The investigators hope to show a positive effect on social functioning and language.
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.
The purpose of this study is to develop a better tolerated and more effective pharmacologic treatment for individuals with Asperger's Disorder and Pervasive Developmental Disorder. This is an open-label investigation of aripiprazole in the management of the maladaptive behaviors of autistic disorder. We hypothesize that aripiprazole will be effective for reducing aggression and repetitive behavior.