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If your child or adolescent (ages 7 to 17 years old) currently has moderate to severe Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and has not benefited from OCD medication, he or she may be eligible to participate in a research study. We are enrolling youth with 1) a primary diagnosis of OCD, or with 2) both Autism Spectrum Disorder and OCD. We are investigating the medication riluzole. Riluzole is FDA-approved for the treatment of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease)
Participants in the current phase of the study will be randomized to receive either 1) riluzole or 2) a placebo (pill with no active ingredient) for 12 weeks. At the end of the first 12 weeks, all children will have the option of taking riluzole (no chance of placebo) for the next 12 weeks.
Participants will have a day-long assessment that includes comprehensive psychiatric, physical, and laboratory evaluations. Children will then have follow-up evaluations with the physician about every month for 6 months, and again at 9 and at 12 months. Parental consent is required for study participation. There are no costs to participate in the study. Travel assistance may be provided.
Children should continue to be followed by their own physicians while in this study.
To find out if you qualify or for more information, please call 301-435-6652 or 301-496-5323 or email us at OCDNIMH@intra.nimh.nih.gov.
There is a subgroup of children with autism that appears to develop typically for a period of time, and then loses social or language skills, or regresses. A recent study by Vargas and co-workers at Johns Hopkins has demonstrated that this regressive type of autism is associated with chronic brain inflammation as shown by an abnormal production of inflammatory cytokines among other abnormalities.
Ten children (ages 3 to 12 years) will be enrolled in a year-long study of minocycline. The children will take minocycline and vitamin B6 daily for 6 months. They will receive a comprehensive medical and psychological assessment as well as laboratory tests prior to starting the study medications. They will be required to return to the NIH clinic for check-ups at 2 weeks, and at 1, 2, 4, 6, and 12 months.
Ten children (ages 3 to 12 years) will be enrolled in a year-long study of minocycline. The children will take minocycline and vitamin B6 daily for 6 months. They will receive a comprehensive medical and psychological assessment as well as laboratory tests prior to starting the study medications. They will be required to return to the NIH clinic for check-ups at 2 weeks, and at 1, 2, 4, 6, and 12 months.
Research evaluations are free of charge and travel expenses to the NIH may be provided. Parents will receive a summary of findings from testing. In order to participate, children should live within a reasonable commuting distance of the NIH campus in Bethesda, MD.
To find out if your child qualifies or for more information and eligibility screening, please call: 301-435-7962 or email: NIMH-ASD@mail.nih.gov .
To find out if your child qualifies or for more information and eligibility screening, please call: 301-435-7962 or email: NIMH-ASD@mail.nih.gov .
The purpose of this study is to learn more about autism and its subtypes. We will look at several types of medical issues, including immunologic problems. As a "natural history" study, children will be followed over the course of several years. We aim to capture medical problems that may be related to autism over time, and study outcomes in areas such as behavior and language.
Four groups of children will be included: children with autism (age 1-6), children with developmental delay (age 2-6), children with Rett's Disorder (age 1-4) and typically developing children (age 1-6). Within the autism group, we are specifically interested in both children with a history of early onset of autism, as well as children with a history of regressive autism. An initial comprehensive evaluation will be conducted, and elements of these assessments will be conducted every 6 to 12 months, depending on the child's age. After the screening assessment, participants will have a medical history, physical exam and developmental evaluation. Participants will also have a comprehensive medical workup. Parents of participants will complete questionnaires about family history and their child's development and will be asked to participate in a genetic study.
To find out if you qualify or for more information, please call 301-435-7962 or email at nimh-asd@mail.nih.gov.
To find out if you qualify or for more information, please call 301-435-7962 or email at nimh-asd@mail.nih.gov.
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This page was last updated on: March 30, 2008