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.

The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy, safety, and population pharmacokinetics and determinants of drug responses to buspirone in children with autism using a randomized, double blind, cross over study in children ages 2 to 6 years.

There is a subgroup of children with autism that appears to develop typically for a period of time, and then loses social or language skills, or regresses. A recent study by Vargas and co-workers at Johns Hopkins has demonstrated that this regressive type of autism is associated with chronic brain inflammation as shown by an abnormal production of inflammatory cytokines among other abnormalities. This present study will test the effectiveness of minocycline, an antibiotic with anti-inflammatory properties, in treating regressive autism. Although behavioral therapies have improved some symptoms of autism, there are no medical treatments for the disorder, and many children have ongoing behavioral difficulties. A medicine with anti-inflammatory properties may be beneficial for children with regressive autism. This will be an open-label trial, meaning all children in this study will receive minocycline. They will also receive vitamin B6 to reduce the possible chance of side effects of the minocycline. Children ages 3 to 12 with regressive autism may be eligible for this study. The children will take minocycline and vitamin B6 daily for 6 months. Prior to starting the medication and vitamin B6, children will receive a comprehensive diagnostic assessment for autism as well as a physical examination, medical history, and laboratory tests. Children will then receive ongoing assessments to monitor their behavior, communication, language skills, and medical issues at 2 weeks, and at 1, 2, 4, 6, and 12 months. Children who respond to the treatment will receive an additional 3 months of minocycline and vitamin B6.

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.

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 main purpose of this study is to determine the most efficient way for families to reduce problem behavior in their children with an autism spectrum disorder. Parents will be trained using telehealth to use applied behavior analysis (ABA) procedures to improve child behavior and communication. The study compares an established type of ABA assessment and treatment to a briefer, more streamlined version of this same type of assessment/treatment.

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and insomnia, and their parent(s) will undergo 8 sessions of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy designed for Children with Chronic Insomnia and ASD (CBT-CI-A). Treatment delivery will be assessed for each session. Treatment receipt will be assessed at the end of session 3. Treatment enactment will be assessed throughout treatment, post-treatment, and follow-up. Sleep and secondary outcomes (child daytime behavior, parent sleep) will be collected at baseline, post-treatment, and 1-month follow-up. Study Flow: Baseline (wk1-2) ---> CBT-CI-A (wk3-10) ---> Post-Treatment (wk11-12) --->Wks 13-16 --->Follow-up (wk 17-18) Session: Sleep education Sleep scheduling, limit setting, and stimulus control Teaching relaxation strategies and other adaptive coping skills Parenting strategies (differential attention, rewards, consequences) Identification of maladaptive & adaptive cognitions Problem solving & communication skills Sleep restriction; bright light to change circadian rhythms Review gains and plan for long-term maintenance