Active clinical trials for "Autistic Disorder"

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and preliminary efficacy of integrating targeted dosing of intranasal oxytocin with a social cognitive skills group therapy for school-aged children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

The proposed study is designed to assess the effectiveness of treatment with Oxcarbazepine vs. placebo in childhood/adolescent autism. This is a twelve-week study involving twenty subjects between the ages of five and seventeen with a diagnosis of autism.

PURPOSE The purpose of this investigation is to evaluate the cognitive and behavioral effects of Hyperbaric Oxygenation Therapy in children who present with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. HYPOTHESIS Hyperbaric Oxygenation Therapy will be safe to use with children with autism. Hyperbaric Oxygenation Therapy will have a statistically significant effect on the symptoms of autism. Hyperbaric Oxygenation Therapy will have a clinically significant observable effect on the overt symptoms of autism. The decreases in the symptoms of autism will correlate positively with the number of Hyperbaric Oxygenation Therapy sessions. Treatment gains obtained from Hyperbaric Oxygenation Therapy will be maintained at follow-up, post 40 treatment sessions. SPECIFIC AIMS Provide further evidence for the safety of Hyperbaric Oxygenation Therapy in children with autism. To quantitatively assess the effects of Hyperbaric Oxygenation Therapy on behavioral and cognitive symptoms of autism before, during, and after treatment. Identify number of treatments required to reach therapeutic effects. Identify the length and durability of treatment effect and maintenance.

Autism spectrum disorders affect as many as 1 out of 150 children and are related to significant impairment in social, adaptive, and school functioning. Co-occurring conditions, such as anxiety, are common and may cause substantial distress and impairment beyond that caused by the autism diagnosis. Although effective interventions have been developed for typically developing youth with anxiety disorders, this approach needs to be adapted for children with autism. Accordingly, we are proposing a randomized controlled trial to examine the effectiveness of CBT relative to treatment as usual (TAU) in 46 youth ages 7-11 with autism spectrum disorders and comorbid anxiety disorder(s).

The goal of this project is to compare the efficacy of two interventions for improving spoken language and reducing symptoms of autism.

The purpose of this study is to determine if lenalidomide (Revlimid®)reduces proinflammatory cytokines including TNF-alpha and may actually alter the clinical course of autism for some children.

The purpose of this study is to examine the safety and efficacy of mecamylamine for the core symptoms of autism.

A growing body of research indicates that dietary intervention excluding foods containing the proteins, gluten and casein, from the diet of children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may have a positive effect on behaviour and developmental outcome. In this single-blind, randomised-controlled, matched-pair adaptive trial, we introduced a gluten- and casein-free (GFCF) diet to a group of pre-pubescent children diagnosed with ASD concurrently with an abnormal urinary profile. Following random allocation to a diet or non- diet group, stage 1 of the study saw an intervention group follow the GFCF diet for eight months initially - progressing to 12 months if required. A non-diet control group continued with a normal diet. Assuming significant changes for the dietary group on the various outcome measures of behaviour and development, stage 2 of the study saw both groups assigned to GFCF dietary intervention for a further 12 months when outcome measures were again assessed at study end.

The purpose of this open label study in children and adolescents is to examine the acute and long-term effects of aripiprazole on problem behaviors associated with autism spectrum disorders and development in areas which appear to be affected by autism spectrum disorders.

Doctors at MassGeneral Hospital for Children (MGHfC) are doing a research study to learn if a gluten free-dairy free (GFCF) diet is helpful in improving gastrointestinal symptoms associated with autism. Hypothesis: The gluten free/casein free diet (GFCF) will result in a higher proportion of subjects having reduction in gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Primary Study Objective: To assess the effect of a GFCF diet on GI symptoms associated with ASD. Secondary Objectives: To assess if improvements in GI symptoms result in improvements in autistic behavior when using a GFCF diet in the dietary management of GI symptoms associated with ASD To determine the nutritional impact of a GFCF restrictive diet To assess the role of food allergies in the manifestation of GI symptoms This is a 14-week study that requires between 5 & 9 office visits. All study related activities -including physical exams, blood samples and allergy testing - and an amino acid based supplement drink, are at no cost. Research study visits will take place at MGHfC in Boston, or at Newton Wellesley Hospital in Newton, or at Lurie Center/LADDERS in Lexington.