Donepezil HCl & Cognitive Deficits in Autism

NCT ID: NCT00047697

Last Updated: 2017-10-05

Study Results

Results available

Outcome measurements, participant flow, baseline characteristics, and adverse events have been published for this study.

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Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

PHASE2

Total Enrollment

34 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2002-10-31

Study Completion Date

2006-08-31

Brief Summary

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This 11-week study will examine the safety and effectiveness of the medication donepezil (Aricept®) compared to placebo for treating cognitive deficits in children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Detailed Description

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Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often have impaired communication, problems with social interaction, and repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior. While most research has attempted to treat the behavioral deficits commonly associated with ASD, few studies have attempted to improve the core features of this disorder. A recent study found that donepezil HCl helped to improve speech production, attention span, and ability to express emotions in a group of children with autism. This study will provide an opportunity to conduct further testing of the effects of donepezil HCl on the cognitive deficits presumed to underlie the core features of ASD.

This study begins at Week 1 with a baseline assessment. Participants are then randomly assigned to either donepezil HCl or placebo. Participants will start with either a 5mg/day dose of donepezil HCl or placebo followed by a cognitive assessment after 4 weeks on this dose. Participants will then have their dose increased to 10mg/day. Another cognitive assessment will be given after 4 weeks on this dose.

Conditions

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Autistic Disorder

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

QUADRUPLE

Participants Caregivers Investigators Outcome Assessors

Study Groups

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Donepezil HCl

Donepezil HCL 5 mg and 10 mg

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Donepezil HCl

Intervention Type DRUG

Participants will start with 5 mg per day dose of donepezil HCl, then have their dose increased to 10mg per day after 4 weeks.

Placebo

Placebo

Group Type PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

Placebo

Intervention Type DRUG

Placebo used in placed of Donepezil HCL

Interventions

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Donepezil HCl

Participants will start with 5 mg per day dose of donepezil HCl, then have their dose increased to 10mg per day after 4 weeks.

Intervention Type DRUG

Placebo

Placebo used in placed of Donepezil HCL

Intervention Type DRUG

Other Intervention Names

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Aricept

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
* Asperger's Disorder
* IQ of 75 or above
* Baseline assessment tests within the acceptable range

Exclusion Criteria

* Bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or psychotic disorder
* Seizure disorder requiring the use of anticonvulsant medications
* Congenital rubella, cytomegalovirus, or tuberous sclerosis
* Certain medications prescribed for management of behavior (please contact the investigator for a complete list)
* Medications/preparations that are known to interact with donepezil HCl
* Significant medical illness, endocrinopathies, cardiovascular disease, or severe chronic malnutrition
* Pregnancy or sexually active females not using a reliable method of contraception
Minimum Eligible Age

8 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

17 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

NIH

Sponsor Role collaborator

University of Pittsburgh

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Benjamin L Handen, PhD, BCBA-D

Assistant Professor of Psychiatry & Pediatric

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Benjamin L. Handen, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry

Locations

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Western Psychiatric Institute & Clinic

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

Site Status

Countries

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United States

Other Identifiers

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R21MH064941

Identifier Type: NIH

Identifier Source: secondary_id

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DSIR CT-M3

Identifier Type: OTHER

Identifier Source: secondary_id

R21MH064941

Identifier Type: NIH

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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