Clinical Trials: Autism Spectrum Disorders (Pervasive Developmental Disorders)

Working to improve mental health through biomedical
research on mind, brain, and behavior

Text Size: A A A


powered by Google	Advanced Search


	Press Room \| NIMH Outreach \| Scientific Meetings \| Clinical Trials \| Publications


Clinical Trials: Autism Spectrum Disorders (Pervasive Developmental Disorders)

FEATURED STUDIES Medication and Behavioral Therapy in Treatment of Children and Adolescents with Pervasive Development Disorders (PDD). RUPP (Research Units on Pediatric Psychopharmacology) PDD Network. Treatment study; outpatient. This 24-week study will compare the safety and effectiveness of medication treatment alone (risperidone or aripriprizole) to medication treatment in combination with a parent management training program. Ages 4-14. Locations across the U.S. Improving Attention Skills in Young Children with Autism. Treatment study; outpatient. This 8-week study will teach caregivers how to help young children with autism develop joint attention skills. Ages 1-3. Los Angeles, CA. Valproate Response in Aggressive Autistic Youths. Treatment study; outpatient. This 9-week study will determine the efficacy and safety of the medication valproate (Depakote®) compared to placebo for reducing aggressive behavior in children and adolescents with autism. Ages 6-21. Kansas City, KS. Donepezil Treatment for Autism in Children and Adolescents. Treatment study; outpatient. This 11-week study will examine the safety and effectiveness of the medication donepezil (Aricept®) compared to placebo for treating cognitive deficits in children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Ages 8-17. Pittsburgh, PA. Additional NIH Studies Studies to Advance Autism Research and Treatment (STAART) Network—The STAART Network is comprised of eight centers across the U.S. with ongoing research in the causes, diagnosis, early detection, prevention, and treatment of autism spectrum disorders more>> Featured STAART Treatment Studies Early Characteristics of Autism. Treatment study; outpatient. This study will identify factors that distinguish children with autism from children with developmental delay and those with normal development and study the efficacy of intensive behavioral therapy in children with autism . Ages 18-24 months. Seattle, WA. Diet and Behavior in Young Children with Autism. Treatment study; outpatient. This study will determine whether a gluten- and casein-free diet has specific benefits for children with autism. Ages 30-54 months. Rochester, NY. Citalopram for Children wit Autism and Repetitive Behavior. Treatment study; outpatient. This study will determine the efficacy and safety of citalopram compared to placebo in the treatment of children with autism. Ages 5-17 years. Locations across the U.S. Search ClinicalTrials.gov for more NIH/NIMH studies on Autism and other PDDs		AUTISM, Asperger's disorder, and other Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDDs) cause severe and pervasive impairments in thinking, feeling, language, and the ability to relate to others. These disorders are usually first diagnosed in infancy or childhood. Researchers, as well as families coping with these devastating illnesses, are searching for answers about the causes, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of PDDs. An infant with autism may avoid eye contact, seem deaf, and abruptly stop developing language. Children with autism often remain fixated on a single item or activity, rock or flap their hands, seem insensitive to burns and bruises, and may even mutilate themselves. The child may act as if unaware of the coming and going of others, or physically attack and injure others without provocation. The increasing use of psychotropic medications to treat PDDs and other childhood-onset psychiatric disorders has spotlighted an urgent need for more studies of such treatments in children. Psychosocial interventions, which are also an important part of treatment, continue to be refined and evaluated. More information on Autism and other PDDs

Updated: 10/01/2004

| | | | |