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Sponsored by: |
University of Florida |
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Information provided by: | University of Florida |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT00382382 |
Using a new and more detailed approach to diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) recently developed in our lab, the investigators hope to learn more about irregularities in the brain that are related to autism. The investigators are especially interested in brain regions that contribute to repetitive behaviors in children with autism. Repetitive behaviors include stereotyped motor movements (hand-flapping), self-injurious behaviors (head hitting), compulsions (lining up toys), insistence on things staying the same, and difficulty with change. These behaviors often interfere with learning, can disrupt daily functioning, and can lead to other behavioral problems. Two specific aims will be accomplished: Aim 1: To examine the integrity of white matter pathways in high functioning autistic children. The investigators hypothesize that autism is associated with specific white matter abnormalities in the cerebellum and other motor circuits. Additionally, the investigators expect to confirm and expand on previous reports of cerebral abnormalities by using newly developed DTI methods.
Aim 2: To determine whether there is a relationship between white matter abnormalities and the occurrence of restricted repetitive behaviors in children with autism. The investigators hypothesize that differences in the occurrence and type of restricted repetitive behaviors between autistic individuals are correlated with specific regional white matter abnormalities. Results from the proposed experiments should contribute to current knowledge of brain abnormalities in autism and their relationship to restricted repetitive behaviors, and may be relevant to understanding the mechanisms underlying motor deficits in this disorder.
Condition | Intervention |
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Autistic Disorder |
Other: no intervention |
Study Type: | Interventional |
Study Design: | Health Services Research, Non-Randomized, Open Label, Uncontrolled, Single Group Assignment, Pharmacokinetics/Dynamics Study |
Official Title: | Diffusion Tensor Imaging in Autism |
Estimated Enrollment: | 36 |
Study Start Date: | July 2008 |
Estimated Study Completion Date: | July 2009 |
Estimated Primary Completion Date: | July 2009 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure) |
Arms | Assigned Interventions |
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1: No Intervention
Children with Autism
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Other: no intervention
not a treatment study
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2: No Intervention
Healthy Volunteers
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Other: no intervention
not a treatment study
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Using a new and more detailed approach to diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) recently developed in our lab, we aim to confirm and expand upon previous findings of white matter abnormalities throughout the brain in individuals with autism. We have chosen to focus particularly on cerebellar and motor pathways in consideration of the prevalence of motor deficits in autism as well as brain structural studies that have indicated cerebellar abnormalities in autistic children. Finally, we propose to investigate a possible functional association between white matter structure and the expression of restricted repetitive behaviors in autistic children, by correlating measures of white matter integrity with behavioral assessments indicating the severity of various forms of restricted repetitive behaviors. Two specific aims will be accomplished. Aim 1: To examine the integrity of white matter pathways in high functioning autistic children. We hypothesize that autism is associated with specific white matter abnormalities in the cerebellum and other motor circuits. Additionally, we expect to confirm and expand on previous reports of cerebral abnormalities by using newly developed DTI methods.
Aim 2: To determine whether there is a relationship between white matter abnormalities and the occurrence of restricted repetitive behaviors in children with autism. We hypothesize that differences in the occurrence and type of restricted repetitive behaviors between autistic individuals are correlated with specific regional white matter abnormalities. Results from the proposed experiments should contribute to current knowledge of brain abnormalities in autism and their relationship to restricted repetitive behaviors, and may be relevant to understanding the mechanisms underlying motor deficits in this disorder.
Ages Eligible for Study: | 8 Years to 12 Years |
Genders Eligible for Study: | Male |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | Yes |
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
Contact: Yijun Liu, PhD | yijunliu@ufl.edu |
United States, Florida | |
McKnight Brain Institute of the University of Florida | Recruiting |
Gainesville, Florida, United States, 32611 | |
Contact: Yijun Liu, PhD yijunliu@ufl.edu |
Study Director: | Mark H. Lewis, PhD | University of Florida |
Responsible Party: | University of Florida ( Yijun Liu, PhD ) |
Study ID Numbers: | 1R03HD051656 |
Study First Received: | September 28, 2006 |
Last Updated: | February 16, 2009 |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT00382382 History of Changes |
Health Authority: | United States: Institutional Review Board |
Autism Asperger Syndrome Restricted repetitive behavior |
Stereotyped patterns of behavior Typically Developing children Human Volunteers |
Child Development Disorders, Pervasive Developmental Disabilities Mental Disorders Autistic Disorder |
Mental Disorders Diagnosed in Childhood Asperger Syndrome Autism |
Child Development Disorders, Pervasive Mental Disorders Autistic Disorder Mental Disorders Diagnosed in Childhood |