Active clinical trials for "Autistic Disorder"

To compare the efficacy of one-on-one versus group-based aquatic therapy on the social interactions, behaviors and physical activities of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs).

The aim of this randomized controlled trial is to determine if a nutritional supplement containing broccoli sprout and seed extracts, a rich source of sulforaphane, is effective in reducing core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The study will also explore the safety and tolerability of a sulforaphane supplement in young men with ASD, as well as its effects on challenging neuropsychiatric symptoms that are commonly associated with ASD, such as hyperactivity, irritability, and repetitive movements.

To understand the changes in the resting electroencephalogram (EEG) brain networks of children and adolescents with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) induced by transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), we asked two questions. First: how can tDCS modulate the expression of neural network dynamics? Second: how can tDCS modulate functional connections at specific frequencies? We hypothesized that the tDCS mechanism results in increased cortical frequencies in the areas under the anode, which may reflect an increase in synaptic connectivity, and that this tDCS-related increase changes connection profiles at specific frequencies important for ASD, indicating improvement in symptoms. To verify this improvement, the researchers used the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) after an intervention, comparing baseline scores with post-treatment scores.

Individuals diagnosed with autism are also often diagnosed with anxiety disorders. Therefore, having useful strategies to manage stress and anxiety may be particularly helpful for autistic individuals. Mindfulness-based interventions, delivered in-person as well as those offered remotely online, have been found to lower stress and anxiety. Although in-person mindfulness training has been found to be helpful for autistic individuals, there is little research that has studied remote app-based mindfulness training in autistic adults. This study examines whether a six-week structured intervention, using a mindfulness app, lowers anxiety and stress in autistic adults. Participants were randomly assigned either to an intervention group, which started the intervention immediately, or a wait-list control group, which participated in the same intervention program six-weeks later. Findings will provide important information about the potential for remote app-based mindfulness training to lower stress and anxiety in adults diagnosed with autism.

To reach a feasible method for diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) outcome measures: Primary (main): Measurement of various brain structures, including the total brain volume, the volumes of specific brain regions (such as the amygdala, hippocampus, and cerebellum), and the thickness of the cortex. Detection of other concurrent lesions, e.g. tuberous sclerosis Secondary (subsidiary): levels of various neurotransmitters, such as glutamate and GABA, and other metabolites, such as N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), in specific regions of the brain Assessing neural activity and connectivity in the brain in the resting state

In the present study, we aim to evaluate the serum level of 25 hydrxy vitamin D in autistic children .

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder of unclear etiology. There are theories depicting the importance of sex steroid hormones in autism, since the prevalence of the disorder is male-biased. What makes boys more vulnerable to achieve the diagnosis of autism remains unclear. One of the theories strengthens the importance of fetal organizational effect of testosterone on brain development. Baron Cohen with coworkers showed that elevated fetal levels of several androgens including testosterone were high in male-fetuses who later in postnatal life achieved the diagnosis of autism and fetal testosterone levels were positively correlated with autistic traits in general population. Females with conditions of abnormal prenatal exposure to testosterone and its sex steroid precursors, such as congenital adrenal hyperplasia and polycystic ovary syndrome, were found to have higher rate of autistic traits as well as their children were of higher risk of developing autism. However, the exact mechanism by which these hormones influence the manifestation of autistic traits remains undiscovered. Another model explaining higher prevalence of ASD in males is a female protective model which suggests that multiple genetic factors contribute to the development of ASD and that higher threshold of genetic liability is required in females compared to males. Zhang et al. demonstrated genetic evidence of sex differences in ASD confirming female protective model, employing investigation of de novo mutations, common variants of ASD candidate genes and their co-expression in male and female brain. During infancy: The Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) pulse generator is reactivated by 6 to 10 days after birth. This period, termed the mini puberty of infancy, was first described in the 1970s. During mini puberty, luteinizing hormone (LH) levels approximate pubertal concentrations, reaching a peak between 16 and 20 days of life. Serum testosterone levels rise in response to rising concentrations of LH, paralleling an increase in Leydig cell number and testicular testosterone concentrations. Serum testosterone levels peak from 1 to 3 months (210 ± 130 ng/dL or 7.28 ± 4.51 nmol/L on day of life 30) and decline by roughly 50% per month reaching prepubertal levels by 7 to 12 months of age. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) concentrations parallel the rise in testosterone, reaching pubertal values during the early postnatal period. During puberty: Testosterone is produced primarily by the testes, though a small amount is also made in the adrenal gland. Gonadarche refers to the onset of sex steroid production from the gonads and occurs in response to pulsatile production of GnRH from the hypothalamus, which in turn stimulates production of LH and Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) from the pituitary gland. LH stimulates the Leydig cells to produce testosterone, whereas FSH stimulates the Sertoli cells to proliferate and initiate spermatogenesis. Active androgens are synthesized via two alternative pathways. The first of them is known as the classic "frontdoor" pathway with pregnenolone serving as androgen precursor, which underwent a conversion to DHEA and subsequently to androstenediol. These metabolic steps are catalyzed by CYP17A1 (in the C17,20-lyase step) and (mostly adrenal) AKR1C3 enzyme, respectively. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and androstenediol are readily sulfated by SULT2A1 in adrenal cortex and their sulfates serve as the stock pool for the production of active androgens of the adrenal origin as the production of androgens in early childhood of boys is limited to extra-gonadal tissues, such as adrenal, skin, etc. These sulfated primary androgens may be subsequently deconjugated and metabolized by HSD3B1 and HSD3B2 isoforms to androstenedione and Total testosterone (TST) and then to 5α/β-reduced 17-oxo- and 17β-androgens, respectively. In addition, the androstenedione may be readily converted to testosterone by adrenal AKR1C3. From the aforementioned substances, TST, 5α-dihydrotestosterone, and 11-oxo-testosterone are known as the most potent bioactive androgens. Besides the "frontdoor" pathway the dihydrotestosterone may be also formed by so called "backdoor" pathway. This pathway is based on a direct conversion of 5α/β-reduced pregnane steroids (C21) to their 5α/β-reduced androgen (C19) metabolites which is catalyzed by the same enzyme converting pregnenolone to DHEA (CYP17A1 in the C17,20-lyase step). These 5α/β-reduced androgen (C19) metabolites include also the most active androgen 5α-dihydrotestosterone. The "backdoor" pathway is crucial for androgen synthesis in marsupials but may also be active in various human steroid-related disorders.

This study aims to compare two screening strategies for identifying infants with a potential risk of Autism Spectrum and Neurodevelopmental Disorders to provide early access to care and increase the likelihood of a favorable outcome

This study will examine the safety and efficacy of tideglusib vs. placebo for the treatment of core symptom domains in adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Intervention for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in European French-speaking countries is often heterogeneous and poorly evaluated. Six French-speaking early intervention units for children with ASD following the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) have been created since 2011 with the common aim to evaluate effectiveness and cost-efficiency of the ESDM applied to the European French-speaking public health system. In those units, Children receive ESDM at minimum 12H per week by trained therapist. Therapist work in collaboration with parents (at home) and preschool or nursery. The first aim of the investigators study is to evaluate the effectiveness of ESDM intervention 12 hours per week during 2 years on the global development of children with ASD compared to the interventions commonly available in the community.