Active clinical trials for "Child Development Disorders, Pervasive"

This study is comparing a multidisciplinary intervention for encopresis (MIE), consisting of both medical and behavioral components to treatment as usual control (TAU). Participants are first screened by a pediatric gastroenterologist and assessed and treated for any constipation or other potential medical complications. Following this, caregivers collect data on bowel movements and continence during a home baseline lasting no less than 14 days and no more than 21 days. Participants randomly assigned to treatment as usual or the treatment group, and begin attending daily appointments in clinic for 2 weeks. At appointments, the behavior team implements structured sits on the toilet to promote independent bowel movements (BMs). If an independent BM does not occur, the study team will administer a suppository to promote rapid release of the bowels and prompt the child to remain on the toilet following administration. In doing so, continent bowel movements are predictably evoked while the child is on the toilet, allowing for reinforcement with praise and preferred toys/activities. Eventually, suppositories are gradually decreased until the child is having BMs independently. Caregivers are trained to continue implementing the intervention following the clinic-based portion. The purpose of the current study is to evaluate MIE using a large randomized clinical trial (RCT), addressing the Department of Defense Autism Research Program, Area of Interest of Therapies to Alleviate Conditions Co-Occurring with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The researchers will recruit 112 children diagnosed with ASD, randomizing them to two weeks of MIE, or treatment as usual (TAU) consisting of behavioral consultation and medical intervention. This study will evaluate MIE compared to TAU and determine the optimal treatment length.

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

The purpose of this pilot intervention trial is to assess the efficacy of newly developed psychoeducation guides designed to manage anxiety in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) by recruiting 30 participants with ASD and high levels of anxiety along with their parent/caregivers who both receive a version of the psychoeducation guide.

This is a single site, prospective study of one intravenous infusion of human umbilical cord tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (hCT-MSC) in toddlers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Toddlers 18 to 48 months of age with a confirmed diagnosis of ASD will be eligible to participate. Diagnosis will be confirmed at the time of the eligibility visit at the Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development. All participants will receive a single intravenous dose of 2x106/kg hCT-MSC per kilogram at baseline. Assessments will be conducted at baseline and 6 months, with remote follow-up assessments at 12 months.

The purpose of this study is to compare two different treatment approaches to social skills groups for high-functioning children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This project will examine changes in both behavior and the brain following treatment.

Nutritional supplements like vitamin B6 and magnesium have demonstrated to have beneficial effects in patients with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The underlying theory for these effects is that specific metabolic pathways in neuronal cells, e.g. the methionine cycle, will be more balanced. Most studies have been focused on the clinical outcome with this treatment. The present proposal will examine the effects on the different intermediates of the methionine cycle (methylation and transulfuration capacity), suggested to play an important role for the pathogenesis of ASD. The design is a prospective pilot study, including 40 patients, aged 2-6 yrs, with newly diagnosed ASD. All participants will receive the supplement (vitamin B6, magnesium; Kirkman formula) and placebo in a cross over design. Metabolites in blood and urine will be measured prior to and at the end of the treatments in the different groups. The results will then provide us with information, which will link clinical outcomes with biological markers. Furthermore, the study has also the potential to shed light on the pathogenesis of ASD.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether guanfacine (trade name Intuniv) by itself or in combination with methylphenidate (also known as Ritalin) is helpful for treating hyperactivity in children and adolescents with a Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDDs).

The main objective of this study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of memantine (Namenda®) for cognitive and behavioral impairment in adults ages 18-50 years with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). This is an exploratory, 12-week, pilot study, seeking to determine whether Namenda is efficacious and well tolerated in the treatment of adults with ASD. The study results will be used to generate hypotheses for a larger randomized controlled clinical trial with explicit hypotheses and sufficient statistical power.

The study will evaluate the effectiveness of atomoxetine (Strattera) with and without Parent Management Training (PMT) in children with Autism, Asperger's Disorder, or Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDDNOS) who have symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This is a double-blind placebo, parallel study where the atomoxetine will have a dose titration over a 6 week period. All children will be seen weekly during this titration period, with additional visits at Week 8 and Week 10. Families assigned to the PMT arm will have an additional weekly meeting with a clinician for a total of 9 PMT visits. PMT involves teaching parents to implement behavioral interventions with their children. Subjects who are clinical responders (ADHD Responders and Compliance Responders) from the 10 week study period will be followed every 4 weeks in a 24-week extension study. Subjects who are clinical nonresponders will continue in PMT if they received PMT during the double-blind phase, and they will receive an open trial of atomoxetine if they were on placebo during the double-blind phase. All subjects (responders and nonresponders) will be invited to participate in follow-up assessments every 4 weeks for 24 weeks after the completion of the double-blind phase.

The project aims to describe and compare the outcome of 12 weeks of prospective, randomized treatment with olanzapine, risperidone or aripiprazole on insulin action in skeletal muscle, liver and adipose tissue, abdominal fat mass, total body and fat-free mass, efficacy for symptoms of aggression and non-metabolic adverse events. Children aged 6-18 will be studied, exploring effects of stimulant therapy and age-related differences in vulnerability to treatment-induced adverse metabolic changes. Aims are addressed by measuring glucose and lipid kinetics with stable isotope tracers, body composition with dual energy x-ray absorptiometry and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and standardized assessments of efficacy and adverse events. Relevant data are critically needed to target clinical therapy and basic research, identify medical risks, and guide regulatory decisions in this vulnerable population.