Active clinical trials for "Autistic Disorder"

This study is a pilot study to evaluate the feasibility and safety of conducting a year long, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of fluoxetine in pre-school children to enhance developmental processes in core areas impacted by autism.

This study is designed to determine the effectiveness of risperidone, a drug treatment for the interfering symptoms of Autistic Disorder in children and adolescents between the ages of 5 and 17. Between 100 and 120 patients will be participating in this research study at five academic medical centers in the United States. The primary aim of the treatment is to reduce impairing behavioral symptoms such as aggression, explosive outbursts, or self-injurious behavior, without significant side effects. A secondary aim is to evaluate possible improvement in the level of social relatedness, attention, motor coordination, and short-term memory. This study is a placebo-controlled, double-blind study (neither the investigators nor patients know if the treatment being given is risperidone or an inactive substance, placebo). Patients will be asked to participate for 6 to 8 months. For the first 8 weeks, patients will receive either risperidone or placebo, randomly chosen. At the end of the 8 weeks, those patients who have improved and were on risperidone will be asked to continue on this medication for another 4 months. The last two months of the study are again double-blind (neither patients nor investigators know treatment). Patients will either continue risperidone treatment or be gradually tapered from risperidone (placebo-substitution). This blinded discontinuation phase will last 2 months during which patients will be closely monitored for recurrence or worsening of symptoms. Patients who have been treated with placebo in the first 8 weeks of the study and have not improved will be treated with risperidone. Weekly visits are required for the first 8 weeks of the study, monthly visits for the following 4 months, and weekly visits during the last 2 months of the study.

This study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of methylphenidate for treating hyperactivity, impulsiveness, and distractibility in 60 children and adolescents with Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD). Methylphenidate (Ritalin)is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of children and adolescents with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Data supporting its safety and effectiveness in treating ADHD symptoms in PDD are limited. Children and adolescents who do not show a positive response to methylphenidate will be invited to participate in a pilot study of the non-stimulant medication guanfacine (Tenex).

This is a study to determine the effect of fluoxetine in the treatment of adult autism and on functional ability and behavior associated with autism. Evidence suggests abnormal serotonin function in autism. Fluoxetine is a selective inhibitor of the serotonin transporter.

Many drugs used to treat autism target specific symptoms, such as hyperactivity and aggressiveness. Few drugs target the core autistic symptoms of impaired social interaction and communication. This study will evaluate two forms of the drug secretin for the treatment of core autistic symptoms.

The purpose of this study is to examine the dose-response relationship of esketamine in combination with propofol for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder undering colonoscopy.

The purpose of this randomized controlled study was to determine the effects of Pilates Training by comparing the effects of Aerobic Training on muscle strength, balance performance, gross motor skills and social skills in children with autism. As a result of this study Aerobic Training and Pilates Training are both effective in the improvement of balance performance and gross motor skills in children with autism, with more improvement in muscle strength in Aerobic Training. Pilates Training could be considered as an alternative training to increase physical activity in children with autism.

The study will show the effect of naturalistic teaching strategies and picture exchange communication systems in children with an autism spectrum disorder. There will be two groups in this study. One control group and the other experimental group. One group will be provided with the naturalistic teaching strategies and pecs therapy both and the other group will be provided with the PECS therapy. The research will be conducted within the duration of six months after the approval from BASR. The two groups will be first assessed using the portage early education program and pecs manual. After 20 sessions of respective therapeutic techniques, both of the groups will be reassessed. The results of both of the groups will be then compared and conclusions will be drawn.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether CM-AT is safe and effective in treating the core symptoms of autism in children with all levels of fecal chymotrypsin.

Some individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) also demonstrate irritability or aggression, which can interfere with functioning. The purpose of this pilot study is to test whether transdermal nicotine is effective for irritability and/or aggression in adults with ASD using a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Subjects will participate in three visits. At the first visit, subjects are screened for eligibility and enrolled. Baseline measures include rating scales and a frustrative computerized task. They will then wear seven days of transdermal nicotine or placebo. Visit two is on day seven and the study measures are repeated, vital signs and side effects monitored. Subjects will return for a third and final visit on day 21 to repeat the study measures performed during visit two.