Psychophysiological Effects of Lactobacillus Plantarum PS128 in Preschool Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

June 10, 2019 updated by: Hui-Ju Chen, Mackay Memorial Hospital

Psychophysiological Effects of Lactobacillus Plantarum PS128 in Preschool Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: a Randomized, Placebo-controlled Trial

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) comprises a complex group of disorders of neuronal development characterized by social and communication impairment along with presence of repetitive and restrictive behaviors. Emerging evidences support the gut-brain axis and further microbiota-gut-brain axis. Elevated prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction in individuals with ASD suggested that targeting gut may benefit patients with ASD. Lactobacillus plantarum PS128 (PS128) was reported to be a psychobiotic in several animal studies which modulated the levels of neurotransmitters in different brain areas. The current randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted to investigate the psychophysiological effects of PS128 in preschool children with ASD.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Unknown

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

Emerging evidences support the gut-brain axis and further microbiota-gut-brain axis. Elevated prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction in individuals with ASD suggested that targeting gut may benefit patients with ASD. Lactobacillus plantarum PS128 (PS128) was reported to be a psychobiotic in several animal studies which modulated the levels of neurotransmitters in different brain areas. The current randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted to investigate the psychophysiological effects of PS128 in preschool children with ASD.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Anticipated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
250

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • Taiwan
      • Taipei, Taiwan
        • Recruiting
        • Department of Pediatric Neurology, MacKay Children's Hospital
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Hui-Ju Chen

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

2 years to 7 years (Child)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Fulfill Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders fifth version (DSM-V) criteria of Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Do not take any other probiotics for at least 3 weeks before and during the study period

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Autistic children with other neurodevelopmental disorders or psychiatric diseases
  • With a clinically significant chronic medical condition, including; anemia, brain malformations, metabolic diseases, epilepsy, organic gastrointestinal disorders (i.e. gastroesophageal reflux, food allergies, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)) and Celiac disease
  • On anti-fungal, antibiotics, special diet (i.e. gluten-free diet, casein-free diet, high-protein diet, ketogenic diet) and current use of psychiatric medications within the preceding 3 weeks were excluded
  • Known allergy to probiotics

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
  • Masking: Quadruple

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Active Comparator: Lactobacillus plantarum PS128 (PS128)
Subjects will receive oral Lactobacillus plantarum PS128 capsules, 2 capsules per day, for 16 weeks.
Other: Probiotic, Lactobacillus plantarum PS128
PS128 capsules, 2 capsules per day
Other Names:
  • PS128
Placebo Comparator: Placebo
Subjects will receive oral placebo capsules, 2 capsules per day, for the first 8 weeks. The following 8 weeks, subjects will receive oral Lactobacillus plantarum PS128 capsules, 2 capsules per day, for 8 weeks.
Other: Placebo, microcrystalline cellulose
Placebo capsules, 2 capsules per day
Other Names:
  • Placebo
No Intervention: Normal Control
Normal control group are enrolled by invitation from the age and gender matched healthy children.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Changes from baseline of anxiety subscale in Children's Behavior Checklist (CBCL)/Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment (ASEBA) at week 8 and week 16
Time Frame: Baseline, week 8 and week 16
ASEBA for behavioral assessment
Baseline, week 8 and week 16
Changes from hyperactivity subscale of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Test (ADHDT) at week 8 and week 16
Time Frame: Baseline, week 8 and week 16
Inattention, hyperactive symptoms evaluation
Baseline, week 8 and week 16

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Gastrointestinal symptoms recorded by using GI Severity Index (6-GSI) at week 8 and week 16
Time Frame: Baseline, week 8 and week 16
constipation, diarrhea, stool consistency, stool smell, flatulence, and abdominal pain
Baseline, week 8 and week 16
Change of total scores at week 8 and week 16 from baseline of Changes of Childhood Asperger Syndrome Test (CAST)
Time Frame: Baseline, week 8 and week 16
CAST for behavioral assessment
Baseline, week 8 and week 16
Change of total scores at week 8 and week 16 from baseline of Penn Interactive Peer Play Scale, (PIPPS)
Time Frame: Baseline, week 8 and week 16
PIPPS for communicative and interactive assessment
Baseline, week 8 and week 16
Change of total scores at week 8 and week 16 from baseline of Social Interaction Assessment Scale
Time Frame: Baseline, week 8 and week 16
Communicative and interactive assessment
Baseline, week 8 and week 16
Comparison of Microbiota composition between week 8 and baseline
Time Frame: Baseline and week 8
Gut and oral microbiota analysis
Baseline and week 8

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Mackay Memorial Hospital

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Hui-Ju Chen MD, Department of Pediatric Neurology, MacKay Children's Hospital

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
October 1, 2018

Primary Completion (Anticipated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
December 1, 2019

Study Completion (Anticipated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
December 1, 2020

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
May 31, 2019

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
June 10, 2019

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
June 11, 2019

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
June 11, 2019

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
June 10, 2019

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
June 1, 2019

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • 17MMHIS193e

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

No

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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