Active clinical trials for "Autism Spectrum Disorder"

An unpublished study conducted at Toulouse University Hospital revealed that 30% of implanted children with Autism Spectrum Disorders abandon their implant, while 70% of them keep it. The aim of this study is to evaluate the causes of this disparity, which is much greater than in children with cochlear implants without associated Autism Spectrum Disorders. Our problem is as follows: do the sensory hypersensitivity and hyposensitivity of deaf children with Autism Spectrum Disorders have an effect on the expected results after a cochlear implantation from a language and auditory reaction point of view?

The investigators designed the Child-Caregiver Interaction Observation Scale（CCIOS）to assess social communication behaviors, stereotyped behaviors for children with autism spectrum disorder(ASD) via a 20-min video of interactions between a caregiver and a child. The original CCIOS coding scheme consists 23 items. The score range for each item is 0-4, with higher scores being indicative of more atypical behavior. The aim of the study is to determine items for inclusion in the final CCIOS coding scheme through exploration of item correlations, establish the cutoff score of CCIOS for ASD and evaluate the reliability and validity of CCIOS. The reliability evaluation include test-retest reliability and inter-rater reliability. DSM-5 criterion is used as the gold standard. Validity is assessed by determining the correlation and consistency between CCIOS and DSM-5 criterion.

The purpose of this pilot project is to evaluate the feasibility of a mentorship program for adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Data will be collected from adolescents with ASD and their parents/guardians. Study findings will be used to inform further development of the mentoring program for individuals with ASD.

This is a non-drug study seeking to characterize different scales to measure repetitive and restrictive behaviors in different ASD sub-populations over time. This study will also explore the use of digital biomarkers.

The aims of the national population-based study on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) include: (1) to understand the overall prevalence of ASD in children aged 6-12 years in 8 cities (n=120,000), (2) to explore environmental and genetic risk factors associated with ASD

Preterm children are at increased risk for autism spectrum disorders, with an estimated rate of 10%. In the US, about 1 in 8 pregnancies ends with a premature birth. Therefore, individuals with ASD who were born prematurely form a substantial body of children diagnosed with ASD. Premature birth confers an insult to the newborn at a neurologically vulnerable stage. Prematurity associated changes in oxygen tension can be detrimental to developing organs, the brain being one of the most rapidly developing organs in the second half of the pregnancy. Changes in oxygen tension mediate activation of proteins that change the course of cell development. In this study, we plan to measure changes in the expression of 3 proteins that may be affected by changes in oxygen level at birth. We will study the interaction between the proteins' levels in the first few days after premature birth with a diagnosis of ASD at 2 years of age. The proteins are: VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor), a protein that takes part in creating new blood vessels during embryonic development. Hypoxia-inducible factor -1(HIF-1), a key protein that coordinates expression of different genes, many with developmentally critical functions. CXCR4, a cell surface protein that is activated by SDF-1. SDF- 1 is a molecule that regulates migration of cells to their target destination during embryonic life. CXCR4 is expressed in areas of the brain and on cells that are known to be associated with ASD. We hypothesis that changes in oxygen tension in premature babies initiates a cascade of events that lead to changes in cell mobility via abnormal CXCR4 expression. This change leads to abnormal neurodevelopment. The investigators' primary aim is to find if there is a correlation between postnatal levels of expression of HIF-1, CXCR4 and VEGF and a diagnosis of autism at age 24 months. The investigators' secondary aim is to find if there is a correlation between postnatal levels of expression of HIF-1, CXCR4 and VEGF and a language or neurocognitive delay. Methods: Premature babies will be recruited in the first day post delivery. Blood samples will be collected at 3 time points during their hospitalization, and the expression of HIF-1, CXCR4 and VEGF will be determined. Infants will undergo a complete developmental evaluation at 18-24 months of age . Postnatal levels of HIF, CXCR4 and VEGF will be plotted against the results of the developmental evaluation.

The purpose of this study is to get a better understanding of the side effect burden and identify predictors of psychotic, mood and aggressive disorders in children and adolescents. The study's primary aim is to identify genetic risk factors for weight gain and metabolic abnormalities.

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) feature impairments in social interaction and communication. Drug and behavioral treatments for ASD are undergoing rapid development, yet our diagnostic tools are not suitable for efficacy assessment. The Autism-Diagnosis Observational Schedule (ADOS) is a clinical interview with the child and the gold standard for diagnosis. However, this test is subjective, course grained and costly, precluding repeated tests of the same child to assess treatment efficacy and large-scale control assessments of typically developing (TD) children. For these reasons, the ADOS can impede imaging and genetic research. In light of these concerns, the Oregon Animation Test for Social Reciprocity (OATS) will be developed to evaluate distinct autistic behavioral phenotypes, including joint attention, empathy, imitation, and lack of narrative coherence. The main idea of OATS is that animated characters and social scenarios are presented on a computer screen while the responses of the child are recorded by video camera, microphone, and eye-tracking equipment. Animations are used to test each behavioral phenotype of autism. The long-term vision for OATS is to evaluate behavioral and physiological responses of autistic children, including heart rate variability, pupil dilation, and EEG. Our first objective is to use existing animations to build an OATS "Prototype" that discriminates autistic from normal children (Aim 1). From these results, and use of a defined library of still frame posed images, we will design our own animation platform to assess differences between autistic and normal children (Aim 2).

The purpose of this study is to identify psychopathology (psychiatric symptoms) that can differentiate between Schizotypal Disorder (SD) and Asperger Syndrome (normal IQ, no language impairment Autism Spectrum Disorder) (AS) in young adults. With our present knowledge, the differentiation between AS and SD can be difficult, as they both present with social difficulties, odd (but not psychotic) behaviour, and a 'feeling of not being as everyone else'. Studies suggest that adults with AS symptoms are either overlooked, or diagnosed within the schizophrenia spectrum in Adult Psychiatry. A 'correct' diagnosis is important, as it is the first step towards the most optimal plan, treatment and rehabilitation for the patient. The only way to diagnose psychiatric illness is the description of present psychopathology. To identify symptoms that can differentiate between the two disorders, we will use semi-structured interviews to explore present psychopathology in young adults with typical symptoms of SD and AS respectively, with special focus on presence of alterations in self-experience. Alterations in self-experience are typical for the schizophrenia spectrum, and are therefore not thought to be equally present in AS and SD. The hypotheses are that the total level of altered experiences is higher in SD, than in AS, and with a different pattern of altered experiences in SD than in AS. If the hypotheses are true, an examination of altered self-experience will be valuable to aid clinical differentiation between the two disorders.

The purpose of this study is to determine if caregivers of children with a developmental delay experience a decrease in stress by participating in a meditation/cognitive training protocol.