New Developments in Autism Clinical Trials

Abstract

This issue of CNS Spectrums represents a milestone for both those affected by autism and related disorders and for clinicians and researchers who provide help and support to these individuals. In order to improve the lives of a rapidly increasing number of patients with this diagnosis, it is critical for the medical and research community to apply a collaborative and consistent strategy for clinical studies in autism.The five articles that follow are a synopsis of the five subcommittees of the Autism Clinical Trials Task Force (ACTTF), a collaborative panel of experts convened by the Cure Autism Now (CAN) foundation in the spring of 2002. These subcommittees focused on key issues in clinical trials of autism, including subject selection, outcome measures, study design, biological measures, and governmental issues. CAN brought together this panel of participants from academia, government, and industry for the ACTTF think tank. The panel was organized and chaired by Eric Hollander, MD, and Ricki Robinson, MD, MPH. The overarching goal was to clarify what was known about the state of the art of the field in this area, what key information was still unknown, and to implement specific approaches and suggestions for studies which would provide information to fill in the missing gaps in our knowledge base.

Children with High‐Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders and Co‐occurring Anxiety Symptoms: Implications for Assessment and Treatment

“…The accurate diagnosis of co‐occurring mental health symptoms in children with ASD, while challenging, is essential in light of recent research that pharmacological and psychosocial interventions may reduce the severity and impact of mental health conditions in individuals with developmental disabilities, including ASD. (Bruin, Ferdinand, Meester, Nijs, & Verheij, 2007; Chalfant et al., 2006; Hollander, Robinson, & Compton, 2004; Reaven et al., 2009; Sofronoff, Attwood, & Hinton, 2005). Several published case studies have demonstrated reductions in anxiety symptoms after the implementation of CBT techniques (Hare, 1997; Lord, 1995; Reaven & Hepburn, 2003; Sze & Wood, 2007).…”

Designing Research Studies on Psychosocial Interventions in Autism

“…Because the mission of the working group was to provide direction to research on psychosocial interventions, the group did not make recommendations for studies of psychopharmacological trials. Guidelines for such studies are presented elsewhere (Hollander, Robinson, & Compton, 2004;Scahill & Lord, 2004).…”

Guidelines for Speech-Language Pathologists in Diagnosis, Assessment, and Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders Across the Life Span

“…Recognition that professionals have much to learn from the families of individuals with ASD is reflected by the inclusion of family members as authors in various books and journal issues devoted to ASD (e.g., Angell, 1993;Dominigue, Cutler, & McTarnaghan, 2000). Families of individuals with ASD have assumed increasingly important roles in promoting a broader-based awareness and understanding of the disorders, and in the search for effective treatments through their collaborations with professionals to set a national research agenda, ensure the availability of research funding, and encourage participation in research (e.g., Anders, Gardner, & Gardner, 2003;Hollander, Robinson, & Compton, 2004).…”