Neurocognitive Outcomes from Memantine: A Pilot, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (7) ◽  
pp. 475-484
Author(s):  
Latha Valluripalli Soorya ◽  
Louis Fogg ◽  
Edith Ocampo ◽  
Madison Printen ◽  
Sarah Youngkin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Double Blind Placebo ◽  
Neurocognitive Outcomes

scholarly journals Improved symptoms following bumetanide treatment in children aged 3 to 6 years with autism spectrum disorder: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuan Dai ◽  
Lingli Zhang ◽  
Juehua Yu ◽  
Xin Zhou ◽  
Hua He ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Clinical Significance ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Global Improvement ◽  
Double Blind Placebo ◽  
The Core ◽  
Core Symptoms

AbstractWith the drug therapy for the core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) currently limited, here we reported a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to investigate the efficacy, safety, and potential neural mechanism of bumetanide in children with ASD aged 3 to 6 years old. There were 120 children entered into the study and randomly assigned to either 0.5mg bumetanide or placebo. In the final sample, 119 received at least one dose of bumetanide (59 children) or placebo (60 children). The primary outcome was the score reduction of Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) and the secondary outcomes were the score of Clinical Global Impressions Scale (CGI) -Global Improvement (CGI-I) at 3 months and the change from baseline to 3-month in Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS). Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) was used to measure γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate neurotransmitter concentrations in the insular cortex (IC) before and after the treatment. As compared with the placebo, bumetanide treatment was significantly better in reducing severity. No patient withdrew from the trial due to adverse events. The superiority of bumetanide to placebo in reducing insular GABA, measured using MRS, was demonstrated. The clinical improvement was associated with the decrease in insular GABA in the bumetanide group. In conclusion, this trial in a large group of young children with predominantly moderate and severe ASD demonstrated that bumetanide is safe and effective in improving the core symptoms of ASD. However, the clinical significance remains uncertain and future multi-center clinical trials are required to replicate these findings and confirm the clinical significance using a variety of outcome measures.

scholarly journals Parent perceptions of participation in a parent-mediated communication-focussed intervention with their young child with autism spectrum disorder

Autism ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (8) ◽  
pp. 2129-2141
Author(s):  
Kathy Leadbitter ◽  
Wendy Macdonald ◽  
Carol Taylor ◽  
Karen Leneh Buckle ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Family Quality Of Life ◽  
Parent Child Communication ◽  
Young Children With Autism ◽  
Parent Child

Paediatric Autism Communication Therapy is a parent-mediated, video-aided, communication-focussed intervention for young children with autism spectrum disorder. It has been shown in a UK randomised controlled trial to lead to improvements in parent–child communication and family quality of life, together with a sustained reduction in child autism symptom severity. This qualitative study examined parental perceptions of their participation in Paediatric Autism Communication Therapy within the context of the randomised controlled trial. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 18 parents within 12 months of completion of the therapy. The thematic analysis provides insights into parents’ hopes, expectations, and learning processes when working with Paediatric Autism Communication Therapy therapists and carrying out daily practice in the home. Parents reported positive changes in their interaction and relationship with their child and improvements to their child’s communication and interaction. Some also highlighted poignant realisations and emotional challenges associated with taking part in this post-diagnostic therapy. Practical difficulties were also emphasised. Implications for the clinical practice of parent-mediated interventions with young children with autism spectrum disorder are discussed. Lay abstract Paediatric Autism Communication Therapy is an intervention for young children with autism spectrum disorder that focuses on parent–child communication. In Paediatric Autism Communication Therapy, the therapist and parent watch videos of the parent and child playing together. The therapist coaches the parent to carefully observe the child’s communication and to interact with their child in a more sensitive and responsive way. Parents are encouraged to use the strategies with their child at home. Paediatric Autism Communication Therapy has been shown to lead to long-term improvements in parent–child communication and family quality of life. This study aimed to explore parents’ perceptions of their participation in Paediatric Autism Communication Therapy. Interviews were carried out by an independent researcher with 18 parents. Parents discussed the learning processes they went through when working with Paediatric Autism Communication Therapy therapists and carrying out home practice. Some parents described initial doubts about the approach and hesitations about being videoed and analysing video material. In time, most parents came to really value the therapy and their relationship with the therapist. They reported positive changes in their interaction and relationship with their child and improvements to their child’s communication and interaction. Some also highlighted poignant realisations and emotional challenges associated with taking part in this post-diagnosis therapy. Practical difficulties were also emphasised, including the time commitment, accessibility of therapy venues and difficulties in occupying the child during therapist–parent discussion. Implications for the clinical practice of parent-mediated interventions are discussed.

A randomized controlled trial of 25 sessions comparing music therapy and music listening for children with autism spectrum disorder

2020 ◽  
Vol 293 ◽  
pp. 113377
Author(s):  
Thomas Rabeyron ◽  
Juan-Pablo Robledo del Canto ◽  
Emmanuelle Carasco ◽  
Vanessa Bisson ◽  
Nicolas Bodeau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Music Therapy ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Music Listening ◽  
Randomized Controlled

A pilot investigation of an iOS-based app for toilet training children with autism spectrum disorder

Autism ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 359-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel W Mruzek ◽  
Stephen McAleavey ◽  
Whitney A Loring ◽  
Eric Butter ◽  
Tristram Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Skill Acquisition ◽  
Behavioral Treatment ◽  
Retention Rate ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Toilet Training ◽  
Significant Group

We developed an iOS-based app with a transmitter/disposable sensor and corresponding manualized intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder. The app signaled the onset of urination, time-stamped accidents for analysis, reminded parents to reinforce intervals of continence, provided a visual outlet for parents to communicate reinforcement, and afforded opportunity for timely feedback from clinicians. We compared this intervention with an intervention that uses standard behavioral treatment in a pilot randomized controlled trial of 33 children with autism spectrum disorder aged 3–6 years with urinary incontinence. Parents in both groups received initial training and four booster consultations over 3 months. Results support the feasibility of parent-mediated toilet training studies (e.g., 84% retention rate, 92% fidelity of parent-implemented intervention). Parents used the app and related technology with few difficulties or malfunctions. There were no statistically significant group differences for rate of urine accidents, toilet usage, or satisfaction at close of intervention or 3-month follow-up; however, the alarm group trended toward greater rate of skill acquisition with significantly less day-to-day intervention. Further development of alarm and related technology and future comparative studies with a greater number of participants are warranted.

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