Autism Clinical Trials

The FBRI VTC Neuromotor Research Clinic was established and opened in May of 2013 to provide intensive therapeutic services to individuals with motor impairment secondary to neuromotor disorders. It is direct by Dr. Stephanie DeLuca and based on the principles surrounding ACQUIREc Therapy. ACQUIREc Therapy is an evidenced-based approach to pediatric constraint-induced movement therapy, which refers to a multi-component form of therapy that is focused on helping children who have asymmetric motor abilities between the two sides of the body. Historically, ACQUIREc Therapy has the unimpaired or less impaired upper extremity constrained (by a cast or a splint) while also receiving active therapy from a specially trained therapist who shapes new skills and functional activities with the child's more impaired upper extremity but who is also a licensed Occupational or Physical Therapist (OT/PT). Therapy dosages are high much higher than tradition OT or PT - often lasting many hours per day, up to 6 hours a day, 5 days a week, for 2-4 weeks. Investigators have developed further treatments based on the same principles of intensive services combined with behavior shaping for other areas of the body that are also affected by weakness (e.g., the leg and trunk) also, but which usually do not involve constraint. These have been more generally labeled ACQUIRE Therapy. All forms involve intensive, play-based therapy for children with asymmetric motor impairments of the arms and hands. The primary focus of treatment is to facilitate the acquisition of new motor skills in the child's weaker body parts through high levels of intensive therapy using scientifically-based behavioral guidelines. Therapy is also delivered in naturalistic environments. ACQUIREc Therapy as a treatment method has been tested in two randomized controlled trials, and a specific manual for its implementation has been developed. Dr. (s) Ramey and DeLuca previously founded a similar clinic, The Pediatric Neuromotor Research Clinic, at the University of Alabama at Birmingham where Dr. DeLuca directed the research clinic for 13 years and oversaw the implementation of the ACQUIREc Therapy treatment protocol in more than 400 cases. This research will involve analyzing and interpreting the clinical data of children going through clinical procedures at the FBRI VTC Neuromotor Research Clinic. All participation is voluntary and no children will denied services if families choose not to participate. Read Less

Background: New ways to study the brain as people move include near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and electroencephalography (EEG). NIRS uses laser light shone through the scalp to look at blood flow in the brain which increases with movement. EEG records electrical activity in the brain. Little is known about brain activity while children learn new motor skills. Researchers want to learn more about how small children with and without cerebral palsy use their brain to control their body. This may help them find new ways to help children move better. Objectives: To learn more about how infants and young children with and without cerebral palsy use their brain to move their arms and legs. Eligibility: Children ages 3 months - 5 years with and without cerebral palsy Design: Participants will be screened with: * Physical exam * Questions for the parents about the child s health Participants will have at least 1 study session. Some may have up to 34 (all optional). In the sessions, participants will do motor tasks along with some or all of the following: * Light sensors placed on the scalp, held there with a cap or Velcro straps. * Small metal disks placed on the scalp with a cap or straps, with gel between them. * Motion capture recording. Balls attached to the arms and legs by stickers, straps, or a garment are tracked by infrared and video cameras. Motor tasks include reaching, clapping, kicking, and standing. Participants may be placed in a toy or device that uses a motor to move their limbs. Participants head size, hair, and skin will be assessed. Parents will answer questions about their child s typical movements. ... Read Less

Background: - Many psychiatric, behavioral, and developmental disorders are genetic. This means that they tend to run in families. Some begin in childhood, while others do not appear until adulthood. Researchers want to look at people of all ages who have these disorders that started in childhood. They will also look at relatives of people with these disorders. This information will allow doctors to learn more about childhood behavioral problems and how they are inherited. It may also help doctors treat those disorders. Objectives: - To study the onset and treatment of childhood behavioral, psychiatric, and developmental disorders. Eligibility: * Individuals of any age who have a psychiatric, autism spectrum, or developmental disorder, or other behavioral problems. * Family members of individuals with the above disorders. This group may include parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts/uncles, cousins, and children. Design: * Participants will be screened with a medical history and physical exam. They will have a psychiatric history with tests of thinking, judgment, and behavior. Blood and urine samples will be collected. Brain imaging scans will be performed to look at brain function. They may have a spinal tap to collect cerebrospinal fluid. * Relatives will have a medical history and physical exam. They will also have a psychiatric history with tests of thinking, judgment, and behavior. Blood and urine samples will be collected. Brain imaging scans will be performed to look at brain function. * A relative s exams may reveal a behavioral or other disorder. If so, he or she may re-enroll on the study as a person with the disorder. Read Less

The purpose of this study is to test a novel, cognitive behavioral treatment strategy to improve social functioning in adults with autism spectrum disorder. The treatment, named TUNE In (Training to Understand and Navigate Emotions and Interactions), includes components to address the many behavioral domains involved in social functioning, including social motivation, social anxiety, social cognition, social skills, and generalization of the skills to community settings. The Investigators will test the efficacy of TUNE In to improve social functioning in adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), using a randomized controlled trial using the SRS-2 as the primary outcome measure. Read Less

The purpose of this protocol is to allow for the careful evaluation of healthy volunteers and individuals with risk for psychiatric disorders or neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder for specific protocols at NIH. Read Less

The primary goal of this study is to examine rhythm sensitivity as a predictor of response to naturalistic developmental behavioral intervention (NDBIs) in autistic toddlers. Toddlers receive either Reciprocal Imitation Training (RIT), an evidence-based NDBI that supports children's imitation and social communication skills, or a music-enhanced version of RIT. Throughout their participation in the intervention, toddlers will complete study procedures of viewing naturalistic videos of infant-directed singing and other social scenes while eye gaze data is collected. Read Less

The objective of this proposed study is to collect initial efficacy data on a telehealth parent-based behavioral program for children with autism and overweight or obesity (PBT-A), compared with health education (HE). Read Less

A within-subjects design will be used for this preliminary investigation of four biomarkers across two contexts of use: prediction of treatment response (i.e., stratification) and quantification of response (i.e., change). Read Less

The investigators are looking to evaluate how effective a training program that focuses on character strengths may be in improving job maintenance skills in young adults. The investigators are examining the effects of this intervention in young adults who feel they would like to help in improving their satisfaction with work, and in keeping their jobs. Read Less

The study will use a non-invasive remote eye-tracking system (Eyelink Portable Duo) to acquire a short series of eye-tracking measures. Read Less

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of diphenhydramine on sleep in children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Diphenhydramine is an anti-histaminergic agent with strong hypnotic properties. To accomplish this, the investigators will use a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled crossover 8-week study design to examine the effect of diphenhydramine on sleep physiology as assessed by polysomnography (PSG), actigraphy, circadian rhythm, and clinical measures. Read Less

This is a research study to examine the tolerability and effectiveness of pregnenolone in individuals with autism. Pregnenolone is a naturally occurring steroid hormone in the brain that has been implicated in treating various psychiatric conditions. The investigators hope to learn the effects and safety of using pregnenolone in reducing irritability and sensitivity to sensory differences and improving social communication in individuals with autism. The investigators hope by studying the effects of pregnenolone in more detail, the investigators can design better ways to treat individuals with autism. Read Less