View clinical trials related to Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Filter by:In a double-blind, placebo-controlled 16-week trial investigators administered daily doses of either youths with autism spectrum disorders.ARA and DHA supplementation significantly improved communication as well as social withdrawal symptoms. This pilot study provides the first evidence that supplementation with larger ARA doses added to DHA improve impaired social interaction in youths with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).
This research study investigates the effects of oxytocin and vasopressin on brain activity in adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Background: - Oxytocin and vasopressin are two hormones produced in the brain. Both hormones can influence activity in brain regions such as the amygdala that are involved in social and emotional processing. There is evidence suggesting that oxytocin and vasopressin may be implicated in autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Objectives: -Here, we use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to assess the effects of oxytocin and vasopressin on brain activity in adult healthy volunteers and adults with ASD. Eligibility: - Right-handed individuals between 18 and 40 years of age who either have been diagnosed with autism, Asperger s disorder, or Pervasive Developmental Disorder- Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS), or are healthy volunteers. Design: - This study requires 3 outpatient visits to the NIH Clinical Center in addition to a screening visit. Each visit will last about 2.5 hours. Participants may not smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol or caffeinated beverages for 12 hours before each visit. - During each visit, participants will receive a nasal spray that contains one of the following: oxytocin, vasopressin, or placebo. Participants will receive a different spray at each visit. - After using the nasal spray, participants will have an MRI scan of the brain while performing tasks with social and emotional stimuli. - After the MRI scan, participants will complete questionnaires about mood and reaction to the tasks, and will remain in the clinic until the effects of the study medication have worn off. - Participants will be contacted 1 day after each MRI scan for follow-up purposes.
Thirty eight autistic spectrum disorder children age 2-6 years recruited into the study. The new treatment intervention is based on the DIR Model. Parents will be coached at the start and then every 3-4 months for 1 year. Outcome will be measured at the first session and at the end of the study using Functional Emotional Assessment Scale and Childhood Autism Rating Scales, Functional Emotional Level, and parent satisfaction rating. Hypothesis of the study: Children who get additional treatment of DIR/floortime show much improvement in climbing the developmental "ladder" and declining in the autistic behaviors.
Autism is defined as a lifelong pervasive developmental disability, as such, symptom recovery is considered rare. Reports by Lovaas and McEachin, Smith & Lovaas and more recently by Cohen, Amerine-Dickens, & Smith, Smith Groen et al. and Sutera Pandey et al suggest that intensive behavioral intervention programs during preschool years may result in improvement to the point where some children no longer meet criteria for autism by the time they reach school age. Similarly, there are a large number of anecdotal reports of children with autism who, following intensive biomedical intervention (e.g., gluten/casein free diets, vitamin supplements, chelation), are indistinguishable from their typically developing peers. The goal of the current research is to characterize the behavioral and biological profiles of children with autism who show significant symptom reduction such that they no longer meet criteria for autism (Remitted Autism [REM-AUT]) and to contrast them with a group of children who continue to meet criteria for autism (AUT) and to typically developing (TD) group of children. Examining whether neurobiological and neurobehavioral symptoms commonly reported in autism are as frequent and severe in children who have responded to treatment is an important first step in determining what factors may contribute to symptom remission in autism. In addition, understanding how children with remitted autism compare to typically developing children will help us better understand whether symptom improvement is through remediation (normalization of function) or compensation (achieving the same behavioral/adaptive outcome but through an alternative process).
The study objective is to explore the safety and tolerability of STX209 in subjects with Autism Spectrum Disorders and to obtain preliminary data on several measures of efficacy in treating irritability. We hypothesize that STX209 will be safe and well-tolerated.
The overarching aim of the study is to characterize children and adults with ASDs, and compare them with age-matched controls in relation to their functioning in family, academic, employment, and social spheres. Subjects will be comprehensively assessed in multiple non-overlapping domains of functioning, using psychiatric, cognitive, and psychosocial instruments.
The purpose of this proof of concept study is to use functional magnetic resonance imaging and behavioral assessments to investigate the effect of citalopram on restricted repetitive behaviors in people with autism spectrum disorders.
The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness, safety, and tolerability of metformin treatment in children and adolescents suffering from weight gain secondary to use of atypical antipsychotic medications. In this 12 week, open-label study we will investigate metformin's effects on weight control and/or weight loss. We hypothesize that metformin would prevent further weight gain or lead to weight loss, resulting in amelioration of one of the most significant side effects of atypical antipsychotic use.
The purpose of this study is to learn more about autism and its subtypes. Autism is a developmental disorder in which children have problems with communication and social skills and display restricted interests and repetitive behaviors. This study has several goals. One aim is to look at types of autism that are known, such as the regressive subtype, (where skills are lost). We will explore whether there is a unique change in immune functioning related to this subtype. Another aim is to serve as one of the sites that will pilot a larger natural history study, entitled Autism Phenome Project. The goal is to further understand autism by identifying other subtypes. We will look at several types of medical issues that may be related to autism, including immunologic problems. Children will be followed over the course of several years. We aim to capture medical problems that may be related to autism as they develop, and study outcomes in areas such as behavior and language, in order to explore known and new subtypes of autism. Normally developing children (aged 1) with autism (age 1, and developmental delays other than autism (age 1), may be eligible for this study. Depending on each child's study group and age, participants may undergo the following tests and procedures: Baseline Visit - Medical and developmental history, physical examination, psychological, cognitive and medical tests to assess symptoms of autism or other developmental disorders, photographs of the child's face, collection of hair, urine and baby teeth samples. If available, hair samples from the baby's first haircut and from the biological mother's hair are also collected. - Overnight electroencephalogram (EEG): A special cap with electrodes is placed on the child's head to measure brain waves (brain electrical activity) while the child sleeps in the hospital overnight. Healthy volunteers do not undergo this procedure. - Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan: The child stays in the scanner, lying still for 10 to 15 minutes at a time. Since it may be difficult for the child to lie still, the test may be scheduled for a time when the child is likely to be sleepy, or the child may be sedated. - Lumbar puncture (for children in the autism). This test and the MRI may be done under sedation. Follow-Up Visits Follow-up visits are scheduled at different intervals, depending on study group, age and aspect of the study the child is enrolled in. The visits include a short interview session with the child's caregiver and assessment of the child's development and behavior. Some of the assessment measures used during the baseline examination are repeated, including symptoms ratings, behavioral tests and a blood test. For some children, the final visit will include repeats of the medical procedures.