Active clinical trials for "Autism Spectrum Disorder"

The main purpose of this study is to determine the most efficient way for families to reduce problem behavior in their children with an autism spectrum disorder. Parents will be trained using telehealth to use applied behavior analysis (ABA) procedures to improve child behavior and communication. The study compares an established type of ABA assessment and treatment to a briefer, more streamlined version of this same type of assessment/treatment.

This study is a NIMH-funded multi-site clinical trial that includes UCLA as the coordinating site, with Emory University and Seattle Children's Hospital, as other recruiting sites, and the Nathan Kline Institute as the Data Management Center. The purpose of the study is to examine the effects of an investigational drug, AZD7325, as a potential treatment for high-functioning adults 18 -35 years old with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The primary study measures are effects on brain waves as measured by non-invasive brain wave recordings (electroencephalograms or EEGs), assessments of side effects, and measures of attention and learning. The study drug, AZD7325, is manufactured by Astra Zeneca, and was initially tested as a medication for anxiety disorders in over 488 subjects, but was not pursued for marketing due to too few benefits for anxiety. AZD7325 was found to have a very good safety profile and was tolerated by the majority of subjects. AZD7325 has some similar actions to currently marketed anxiety drugs in the benzodiazepine class, but lacks the sedative and negative effects on attention of the benzodiazepines. The study drug is designed to target the GABA neurotransmitter system which is believed to be abnormal in this population. There are 2 study phases. Phase 1 includes the recruitment of 24 healthy volunteers without mental disorder (6 per site) in order to establish normal EEG reference ranges. Controls will only be seen for one study visit which includes a clinical evaluation, physical exam, routine blood tests, and an EEG. Once control recruitment is complete, Phase 2 will begin. Phase 2 involves the recruitment of 40 adults (10 per site) 18 - 35 years old with a diagnosis of ASD, normal intelligence, and specific EEG patterns compared to control values. Screening for eligibility will be performed in one visit, which includes a clinical evaluation, tests of learning and intelligence, blood and urine tests, and an EEG. Those subjects who are found to be eligible will be enrolled in a 6-week medication study. Subjects with ASD who are enrolled will be randomly assigned to receive the study drug AZD7325 or placebo in matching capsules. Subjects will be seen weekly by study physicians and clincians for the 7 study visits, including 3 additional EEG recordings, and then for a final follow-up visit (9 total visits including screening lasting up to 11 weeks to complete). Study physicians can adjust the dose of study medication to reduce any side effects.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether metformin is safe and effective in the treatment of weight or weight gain in young people with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) who are currently taking atypical antipsychotic medication.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether methylphenidate hydrochloride extended release liquid formulation is safe and effective in the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in high-functioning adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).

This study will assess the effectiveness of the ketogenic diet (high-fat, low-carbohydrate, and moderate protein) in treating autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Three study groups will be comprised of children (2-21 years of age) based on whether or not they have ASD and receive the ketogenic diet - ASD/ketogenic diet, ASD/non-ketogenic diet, and non-ASD/non-ketogenic diet.

This study is a 12-week, randomized-controlled trial of memantine hydrochloride (Namenda) for the treatment of social impairment in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The investigators will also conduct pre- and post-treatment neuroimaging (functional magnetic resonance imaging [fMRI] and hydrogen magnetic resonance spectroscopy [HMRS]) to assess neural functional deficits in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder compared to healthy volunteer adolescents. This pre- and post-neuroimaging will also be used to assess any effects of memantine therapy on neural function in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. The investigators hypothesize that short-term memantine monotherapy will be safe, well-tolerated, and effective in improving the core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. Additionally, the investigators hypothesize that following memantine therapy, adolescents with autism spectrum disorder will exhibit a decrease in glutamate (Glu) concentration in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and a change towards normalization in altered functional connectivity of the anterior cingulate cortex and medial temporal lobes, consistent with improvement in social impairments in autism spectrum disorder. The investigators hypothesize that compared to healthy volunteer participants, participants with autism spectrum disorder will significantly differ on neuroimaging measures at baseline but that following memantine therapy, the difference between autism spectrum disorder and healthy volunteer neuroimaging data will decrease.

Anxiety disorders affect 40 to 50% of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), contributing to substantial distress and impairment. The goal of this study is to examine the effectiveness of a personalized type of psychotherapy against standard-care psychotherapy for addressing anxiety in youth with ASD.

This study will examine the potential efficacy and safety of riluzole for core and associated symptom domains of autism and will explore biological markers of safety and treatment response.

The purpose of this study is to determine how osteopathic manual medicine (OMM) will affect core autism features including social and communication deficits. The investigators believe that OMM approaches can positively influence some features associated with Autism/Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

This trial investigates the behavioral effects of manualized social skills training (KONTAKT) in children´s and adolescents with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder with psychiatric comorbidity in a RCT, multicenter study. N = 288 are recruited from 10 child and adolescent psychiatric clinics in Stockholm County. The examination of genetic variants as predictors for outcome and a qualitative study of KONTAKT complete the trial.