Valproate Response in Aggressive Autistic Adolescents



Status:Recruiting
Conditions:Neurology, Psychiatric, Autism
Therapuetic Areas:Neurology, Psychiatry / Psychology
Healthy:No
Age Range:6 - 21
Updated:4/2/2016

Use our guide to learn which trials are right for you!

This study will examine the effect of valproate, a medication used to treat seizures and
bipolar disorder, on aggressive behavior in children and adolescents with autism.

Autism is a complex biological disorder that generally lasts throughout a person’s life. It
starts before age three and causes delays or problems with many different ways in which a
person develops or grows. Some people with autism become very aggressive and can hurt others
or themselves. This study will test the hypothesis that aggressive autistic adolescents will
show a significantly greater response to valproate maintained at blood levels of 75-100
mcg/ml than to placebo. The study will also assess the safety of valproate in autistic
adolescents. This represents the first double-blind study of valproate in mentally
retarded/developmentally delayed populations.

Participants in this study will undergo DSM-IV evaluation, the Autism Diagnostic
Interview-Revised and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, and baseline blood tests.
After baseline screening, all participants will be given a placebo for 1 week. Participants
will then be randomized to receive either valproate or placebo for 8 weeks. Dosage
adjustment according to blood levels drawn at the end of weeks 2 and 4 will be arranged with
parents by a child psychiatrist without breaking the blind. The Aberrant Behavior
Check-list-Community (ABC-C) irritability subscale will be the primary measure; the Overt
Aggression Scale (OAS), ABC-C hyperactivity subscale, Clinical Global Impressions (CGI)
problem severity, Self-Injurious Behavior Questionnaire (SIB-Q), and a valproate side
effects checklist will be secondary measures.

Inclusion Criteria

- Autism

- Lives in the Kansas City area

Exclusion Criteria

- Psychoactive maintenance medication

- Degenerative central nervous system disorder

- Unstable medical illness

- Seizures in the 6 months prior to study entry

- History of valproate sensitivity or previous liver disease

- History of ovarian cysts

- Low platelet count or raised liver transaminases
We found this trial at
1
site
?
mi
from
Kansas City, KS
Click here to add this to my saved trials