An Evaluation of Low Level Laser Light Therapy for Autistic Disorder
Autistic DisorderThe purpose of this study is to determine whether the Erchonia HLS Laser is effective in the treatment of irritability associated with autistic disorder in children and adolescents aged five (5) to seventeen (17) years.
Investigating Social Competence in Youth With Autism
Autism Spectrum DisorderOur treatment, SENSE Theatre, combines several well-documented, effective behavioral strategies and theatre techniques. The proposed project will extend previous findings showing improving improvement in memory for faces. The multisite randomized control trial will include a large sample of 240 children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) randomly assigned to the experimental (SENSE Theatre) or an active control condition (Tackling Teenage Together).
Evaluation of a Treatment With Allopurinol in Adenylosuccinate Lyase Deficiency
Adenylosuccinate Lyase DeficiencyThe aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of allopurinol treatment at 12 months on the adaptive and cognitive functioning of patients with adenylosuccinate lyase deficiency (ADSL). The psychiatric evaluation will involve the use of standardized tools prior to initiation of treatment, and will be repeated 6 months and 12 months after the start of treatment. The decrease in the concentration of SAICAR and S-Ado metabolites, which are markers of adenylosuccinate lyase (ADSL) deficiency, will also be quantified. Similarly, the efficacy of allopurinol on epileptic seizures for epileptic patients and on electrocardiogram abnormalities will be evaluated secondarily
Brexpiprazole in Treatment of Children and Adolescents With Irritability Associated With Autism...
Irritability Associated With Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)The purpose of this study is to find out about the potential benefits and safety of brexpiprazole in children and adolescent participants, aged 5 to 17, with irritability associated with autism spectrum disorder.
Allogenic Cord Blood Transfusion in Patients With Autism
Autism Spectrum DisorderAutismAutism is one of those disorders in Autism spectrum disorders (ASD), which characterized by social interaction abnormalities, impaired verbal and non-verbal communication, and repetitive, obsessive behavior, while the therapeutic effect of current treatments remains limited progress. The possible reason for ASD is neural hypoperfusion and immune deregulation. The Human Umbilical Cord Blood Mononuclear Cells (hUCB-MNCs) have been shown to have the ability to modulate the immune response and enhance angiogenesis, suggesting the novel and promising therapeutic strategy. In this study, the safety and efficacy of hUCB-MNCs infusion will be evaluated in patients with Autism.
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Transcranial Direct Current StimulationAutistic Disorders Spectrum1 moreBackground: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is a form of non-invasive brain stimulation that has aroused increased interests in the past decade. Not only that it is transient with little side-effects, and can be well-tolerated by children, it is also affordable and readily accessible, making it an appealing treatment option for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Objective: (1) To assess the therapeutic effects of tDCS when combined with cognitive training for 10 consecutive weekdays on improving cognitive processing in adolescents with ASD, relative to control group receiving sham-stimulation, and (2) to evaluate the associated neural mechanisms underlying the treatment effect of tDCS on adolescents with ASD. Methods: 105 adolescents with ASD will be randomly assigned to active- (n=35), sham- (n=35) tDCS, or no-treatment control (n=35) groups. Twenty minute sessions of 1 mA cathodal stimulation to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPRC) in conjunction with cognitive training exercise will be provided on 10 consecutive weekdays. EEGs, functional near-infrared spectroscopy, and neuropsychological tests will be administered before, 1 day and 6 months after the series of tDCS sessions. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that cathodal (inhibitory) tDCS over the left DLPRC will induce (1) stimulation-linked facilitation of learning and enhanced processing speed and resultant improvement of cognitive functioning, in executive function, relative to the sham-tDCS and the wait-list controls, (2) active-tDCS, but not sham-tDCS and wait-list controls, will modulate the intra- and inter-hemispheric neural connectivity, indexed by altered level EEG theta coherence and aberrant fNIRS haemodynamic measures, across brain areas implicated in executive functioning.
Mindfulness Training and Parent-coaching Interventions for Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism Spectrum DisorderParents1 moreCaregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) report higher levels of depression and distress than caregivers of typically developing children as well as children with other developmental disabilities. The proposed work tests a novel treatment paradigm that blends Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) with an empirically supported and manualized parent training program (Parent-Implemented Early Start Denver Model [P-ESDM]). We hypothesize that directly treating parental distress, while simultaneously providing evidence-based parent training, may greatly enhance child-focused intervention and provide benefits that resonate across the family.
An Intervention Targeting Daily Adaptive Skills Through Executive Function Training for Adults With...
Autism Spectrum DisorderHigh-functioning Autism1 moreThe current study is a single group pilot study of a novel intervention program which targets improvements in executive functions and adaptive skills in transition age young adults with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder. The main aim of the study is to test the effectiveness of the intervention using a pretest-posttest comparison. It is hypothesised that there will be an increase in executive functions and adaptive skills after the intervention.
Aripiprazole Oral Solution in the Treatment of Children and Adolescents With Autistic Disorder
Autistic DisorderThis is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study to assess the efficacy, safety, tolerability and the steady-state plasma trough concentration of aripiprazole flexible-dosed in children and adolescents with a diagnosis of Autistic Disorder. Approximately 100 subjects will be randomly assigned at a 1:1 ratio to receive aripiprazole (2 to 15 mg) or placebo treatment for 8 weeks
Mindfulness for Parents of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism Spectrum DisorderThe current study examines the efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) to reduce parenting stress, lessen parental reactivity and negativity, and decrease child externalizing behaviors among families of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The design is a randomized controlled trial of 138 families of preschool-aged children with ASD. Parents of children with ASD will be randomized to MBSR or to a Psychoeducational (PE) support control group matched for clinical contact and dosage (see details on interventions below). Families will participate in laboratory assessments at baseline and immediately post-treatment, as well as at 6 months and 12 months post-treatment. Measures include standardized and validated parent and teacher questionnaires, gold-standard psychological assessments, and observational and interview ratings.