View clinical trials related to Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Filter by:Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder characterized by abnormalities in speech and communication, impaired social functioning and repetitive behaviors and restricted interests. Oxytocin (OT) is peptide that is known for its peripheral effects on facilitating uterine contractions and milk let-down; however, studies, mainly with rodents and non-human primates, has found that OT is involved in affiliative behaviors, including sexual behavior, mother-infant and adult-adult pair-bond formation, separation distress, and other aspects of social attachment. Moreover, OT is known to play an important role in repetitive behaviors and stress reactivity. Given that repetitive behaviors and deficits in social interaction are core symptom domains of autism, and that OT is involved in the regulation of repetitive and affiliative behaviors, it is believed that OT may play a role in the etiology of autism. Moreover, preliminary data obtained by Hollander and colleagues suggests that OT may be of value in treating core autism symptoms. Specifically, synthetic oxytocin administered via intravenous infusion to adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) produced significant reductions in repetitive behaviors and facilitated social cognition/memory in a double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over laboratory challenge. Encouraged by these findings, the primary aim of this study is to investigate the safety and therapeutic efficacy of intranasal OT in treating repetitive behaviors and social functioning/cognitive deficits in adults with ASD. This research embraces a translational approach to develop a novel treatment for core ASD symptoms; given that there are currently no Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved medication treatments for core ASD symptoms, this research addresses an important unmet need in the field. The goal of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of repeated Intranasal Oxytocin Treatment (INOT)administration in adults with ASD.
This study will compare the efficacy of a behavioral parent training program (PT) aimed specifically at common sleep disturbances compared to parent education (PE) program focusing on general issues related to autism. In a sample of 40 well characterized young children who meet criteria for an autism spectrum disorder (24-72 months), the investigators will test whether the five session PT program is superior to the PE program in decreasing sleep disturbances. The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of a PT program for sleep disturbance in young children with autism compared to PE. To this end, there are two hypothesis: - Hypothesis 1: After the end of treatment, PT will be significantly more effective than PE in improving parent reports of a) bedtime struggles and resistance; b) sleep latency; c) night wakings; d) morning wakings; and / or e) sleep association problems as measured by the composite sleep index score from the modified Simonds and Parraga Sleep Questionnaire (MSPSQ; Simond & Parraga, 1982; Wiggs & Stores, 1998). - Hypothesis 2: At the end of treatment, children in the PT group (n=20) will display significantly improved total sleep period as measured by actigraphy in comparison to children in the PE group (n=20). The secondary aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of participating in PT on child's daytime behavior and functioning and parenting stress compared to PE. To measure this aim, there are 4 exploratory hypothesis: - Exploratory Hypothesis 1: Lower Irritability subscales scores will be reported on both parent and teacher / therapist completed Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) for the PT group than the PE group at 4 weeks and 8 weeks - Exploratory Hypothesis 2: Lower Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL; parent completed) and Caregiver-Teacher Report Form (C-TRF; teacher completed) scores will be reported for the PT group than the PE group at 4 weeks and 8 weeks. - Exploratory Hypothesis 3: The PT group will have higher scores on the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales: 2nd Edition (VABS-II) at 4 weeks and 8 weeks compared to PE group. - Exploratory Hypothesis 4: Parents receiving PT will report significantly lower scores on the Parenting Stress Index (PSI) at 4 weeks and 8 weeks compared to parents receiving PE.
This study will determine the effectiveness of mirtazapine in reducing anxiety in children with autistic disorder, Asperger's disorder and Pervasive Developmental Disorder.
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common inherited form of developmental disability. FXS is inherited from the carrier parent, most often the mothers. FXS is associated with severe interfering behavioral symptoms which include anxiety related symptoms, attention deficit hyperactivity, and aggressive behaviors. Approximately 25-33% of individuals with FXS also meet criteria for autistic disorder. The hypothesis of this study is that treatment with acamprosate will reduce inattention/hyperactivity, language impairment, irritability, social deficits, and cognitive delay in youth with FXS. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness and tolerability of acamprosate in youth with Fragile X Syndrome and to assess the potential psychophysiological differences between FXS and autism spectrum disorders.
To explore the efficacy, safety and tolerability of STX209 (arbaclofen) administered for the treatment of social withdrawal in subjects with autism spectrum disorders
The purpose of this study is to test the applicability of a caregiver-implemented autism intervention protocol to a deliberately recruited low-income, underserved population.
Nutritional supplements like vitamin B6 and magnesium have demonstrated to have beneficial effects in patients with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The underlying theory for these effects is that specific metabolic pathways in neuronal cells, e.g. the methionine cycle, will be more balanced. Most studies have been focused on the clinical outcome with this treatment. The present proposal will examine the effects on the different intermediates of the methionine cycle (methylation and transulfuration capacity), suggested to play an important role for the pathogenesis of ASD. The design is a prospective pilot study, including 40 patients, aged 2-6 yrs, with newly diagnosed ASD. All participants will receive the supplement (vitamin B6, magnesium; Kirkman formula) and placebo in a cross over design. Metabolites in blood and urine will be measured prior to and at the end of the treatments in the different groups. The results will then provide us with information, which will link clinical outcomes with biological markers. Furthermore, the study has also the potential to shed light on the pathogenesis of ASD.
The investigators propose a pilot, single blind, placebo run-in, dose finding study of pioglitazone in children with autism with the ultimate goal of identifying appropriate dosing and outcome measures for a larger follow-up randomized placebo controlled clinical trial. The specific aims of this study are: 1) To examine the safety of pioglitazone in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) ages 5-12 years; 2) To identify appropriate outcome measures to be used in a follow-up multisite randomized control trial of pioglitazone in children with ASD; 3) To determine the maximum tolerated dose to be used in the follow-up multisite randomized controlled trial; 4) To examine the effect of pioglitazone on markers of inflammation (cytokine levels) and oxidative stress (superoxide dismutase, malonyl aldehydes); 5) To explore the relationship between different doses and response to treatment.
The study examines actigraphic, observational, psychometric and associated repeated measurements obtained prior to and during psychopharmacological treatment.
In recent years, there have been a growing number of individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). As such, this increase has expanded the number of caregivers of children with ASD. Research has shown that having a child with an ASD is stressful for caregivers and their families. More specifically, prior research suggests that caregivers of children with ASD may find it difficult to maintain feelings of control and to cope with the overall physical and emotional demands of caring for their child. A previous study of caregivers of children with ASD found that caregivers felt a lack of personal control over aspects of their child s condition and also found it difficult to cope with various demands of caregiving. Furthermore, this study found that greater levels of perceived personal control and the use of problem-focused coping strategies were associated with caregivers adaptation to their child s condition. As such, the goal of our research is to conduct a feasibility study using a coping effectiveness training (CET) intervention designed to enhance perceived personal control (PPC) and coping efficacy in caregivers of children with ASD. There has been a growing interest in developing interventions targeted at constructs involved in the adaptation process. However, there have been few studies of interventions targeting predictors of adaptation such as PPC and coping efficacy. Research has shown that the CET intervention can enhance coping efficacy in several other populations. This intervention also incorporates appraisals of one s ability to change a particular situation. The conceptual framework for our study was adapted from Lazarus and Folkman s Transactional Model of Stress and Coping. A cross-sectional randomized treatment-control design is proposed to evaluate the use of a CET intervention intended to enhance PPC and coping efficacy. Caregivers of children with ASD will be recruited from support groups, autism resource centers, and four clinics. Participants randomized to the treatment group will be asked to complete baseline and follow-up surveys and two 1.5-hour individualized in-person sessions. Participants randomized to the control group will be asked to complete baseline and follow-up surveys and two 1.5-hour individualized in-person client-centered discussion sessions. The main outcome measures will be participation, reasons for withdrawal, participants experiences within the intervention setting and their experiences in applying the intervention, PPC, coping efficacy, and coping effectiveness.