Active clinical trials for "Autism Spectrum Disorder"

This study consists of two phases, a cross-sectional and a interventional. The cross-sectional phase will provide more insight into the differences in the autonomic functioning between adolescents with autism spectrum disorder and their typically developing peers. During the longitudinal phase, the efficacy of an RSA biofeedback intervention will be examined in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder.

The overall goal of this study is to evaluate telehealth and internet-based approaches to meet accessibility challenges for families with concerns about ASD in their infants. In this study, we will gather exploratory data related to the potential of two telehealth tools: 1) The Telehealth Evaluation of Development for Infants (TEDI); and 2) "Help is in Your Hands" (HIIYH), a set of video materials and information on interactive strategies parents can use to support their child's communication development. We will recruit families participating in an ongoing study using the TEDI (R21 HD100372, PI: Talbott) to evaluate infants' behavioral development. As families exit the parent TEDI study and enter the current study, we will ask parents to complete online questionnaires, and randomize them to either receive immediate access to additional online materials (HIIYH) for parents or no additional materials. After 12 weeks, parents will complete online questionnaires and all families will then be given access to the online materials. When children reach 30 months, we will collect additional questionnaires, complete a live telehealth behavioral session with toddlers and their caregivers, and conduct an exit interview with parents to gather feedback about their experience.

The purpose of this research is to see the effects (good and bad) of Melatonin CR on sleep in 4-8 year old children with autism spectrum disorders and sleep problems.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) refers to a group of neurodevelopmental disorders including autism.Despite ongoing studies, the pathogenesis of ASD still remains unclear.The global prevalence of ASD was estimated at 1% in 2015.The diagnostic criteria for ASD are specified in the DSM ( American Psychiatric Association, 2013 ) and serve as guideline for clinicians at the present. However, its early diagnosis value is limited due to a high subjectivities and its low diagnostic sensitivity and specificity.Early detection and early pharmacological and behavioral interventions are critical in improving the symptoms and preventing the disease progression. There are no medications that directly treat the core symptoms present in individuals with ASD, and the effectiveness of interventions remains limited. Therefore, accurate assessment of pharmacological efficacy is necessary for the reatment, and prognostication of individuals with ASD. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a commonly used imaging tool for clinical disease diagnosis, especially for neurological disorders. Besides, Structural Magnetic Resonance imaging reflects neuropathological and microstructural developmental changes during growth. Radiomics based on the high-dimensional quantitation of medical images, allowing extraction of more detailed characteristics than is possible with conventional visual interpretation. This study aims: (1)To explore an objective diagnostic method through radiomics in children with ASD (2)to provide prognostic estimates of the outcome, based on estimates of an individual patient's prognosis and the efficacy of different drug therapies.

The goal of this research is to explore abilities to learn word meanings from overheard conversations in children with ASD (and, as a control, typically developing children). Specific Aim 2 (Experiment 2): Determine whether children with ASD can learn from addressed and overheard teaching via videoconferencing. The investigators will use a similar procedure to Study 1, except that both overheard and directed teaching will take place on video.

Background: - Some children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) do not have normal sleep cycles. Some of these children spend very little time in the rapid eye movement (REM) stage of sleep. Some studies suggest that less time in REM sleep can be associated with learning and behavior problems. Donepezil is a medication used to treat Alzheimer s disease. Donepezil can increase REM sleep in some adults with different disorders. A small study showed that Donepezil can also increase REM sleep in children with ASD. Researchers now want to see if Donepezil can improve communication skills and social interaction in children with ASD. They also want to see if any change in symptoms seems to come from changes in REM sleep. Objectives: - To see if a medication, Donepezil, can improve the way communication skills and social interaction develop in young children with autism spectrum disorders. Eligibility: - Children 22 to 44 months of age with ASD. Design: Participants will be screened with a blood test, heart tests, and a sleep study. During the sleep study, children will sleep in a darkened room for 2 nights with electrodes on their body and a tube under their nose. Parents can sleep in the room with their child. A technician will monitor the room all night. Participants will take the study medication once a day. Treatment will be monitored at visits every 3 months. At each visit the participant will take blood tests, heart tests, or behavior tests. Participants will have 2 more sleep studies. Participation will end after 18 months.

This study is working towards gaining a better understanding of the genetic and environmental factors involved in autism spectrum disorders (ASD), which includes autism, pervasive developmental disorder (PDD), and Asperger's syndrome. The investigators hope that information gained from this study will lead to new ways of diagnosing and treating ASDs.

For participants enrolled prior to Version 6 of the protocol: This was a Phase II multi-center, randomized, double-blind, 24-week, 3-arm, parallel group, placebo-controlled study to investigate the efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of balovaptan in children and adolescents aged 5-17 years with ASD who are high functioning (intelligence quotient [IQ] greater than or equal to [>=] 70). For participants enrolled according to Version 6 of the protocol: This was a Phase II multi-center, randomized, double-blind, 24-week, parallel group, placebo-controlled, 2-arm study with participants assigned either to a 10 milligram (mg) or equivalent dose of balovaptan, or placebo. All other study parameters remained as stated above. There are three parts to this study: PK Part (Study part 1) included up to 8 weeks of treatment, Main Treatment Part (Study part 2) included 24 week of treatment, and the Open Label Extension Part (Study part 3) included Week 24 to Week 76 of treatment. All participants that completed the 24-week treatment period were eligible to participate in an optional 52-week open-label extension (OLE) during which they received balovaptan treatment.

The specific objectives of this project are to conduct a randomized control trial to examine the effect of a novel, telehealth parent training intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ImPACT Online, on parent and child outcomes. The investigators will compare the benefits of the self-directed and therapist-assisted delivery formats, and examine moderators and mediators of treatment outcomes. The investigators anticipate that both the self-directed and therapist-assisted models of ImPACT Online will be effective methods for teaching parents to use evidence-based intervention strategies and for increasing parent self-efficacy compared to a web-based information control group. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups. One-third of participants will be in the therapist-assisted group; one-third will be in the self-directed group; and one-third will be in a web-based information control group.

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.