Genetics, Brain Structure and Thinking Skills in Autism

January 7, 2015 updated by: Thomas W. Frazier, Ph.D, The Cleveland Clinic

Genetic, Biochemical, Behavioral and Neuroimaging Phenotypes of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs)

The purpose of this research is to better understand the genetic, biochemical, cognitive and behavioral symptom abnormalities that contribute to autism spectrum disorders. The investigators anticipate recruiting at least 100 participants with autism spectrum disorder and large head size, at least 100 participants with autism spectrum disorder without large head size and at least 40 healthy siblings. Biological parents are expected to be recruited only as genetic changes are identified in individuals with autism spectrum disorders to better understand the nature of these genetic changes. Participants are asked to complete cognitive testing, a blood draw, urine collection and measurement of his/her height, weight and head circumference. Parents or caregivers may be asked to complete a diagnostic evaluation and will complete questionnaires that examine the participant's medical and family history as well as his/her current symptoms, functioning, and quality of life. A brief report simply listing and giving a basic description of any behavioral diagnostic information, autism symptoms, adaptive functioning, and a listing of results from cognitive testing will be provided as part of this study.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Actual)

138

Contacts and Locations

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

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Ohio
      • Cleveland, Ohio, United States, 44104
        • Cleveland Clinic Center for Autism

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

Ages Eligible for Study

2 years to 50 years (Child, Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

We anticipate recruiting 80 participants with autism spectrum disorder and large head size, 80 participants with autism spectrum disorder without large head size and 40 healthy siblings. Biological parents are expected to be recruited only as genetic changes are identified in individuals with autism spectrum disorders to better understand the nature of these genetic changes.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Clinical diagnosis of autism
  • Consent from parents or guardians or an adult with or suspected of having an autism spectrum disorder that does not require a legal guardian or an adult who is the healthy sibling of an individual with an autism spectrum disorder.
  • Youth ages 2-17 and adults ages 18-50. Youths and adults who are able (some young or severely impaired participants may not be able to provide assent) will be asked to provide assent.
  • Families with multiple children who meet the above inclusion criteria will be permitted to have as many children participate as they wish.
  • Youth ages 2-17 and adults ages 18-50 who do not have an autism spectrum disorder or are not suspected of having an autism spectrum disorder and who have a sibling with an autism spectrum disorder who has participated in the present study.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Clinically significant medical disease that would prohibit participation in the study procedures.
  • Children younger than 2 years old and adults older than 50 years old.

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

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
ASD with PTEN
Individuals with autism spectrum disorder who are also found to have a PTEN mutation.
ASD no PTEN macrocephaly
Individuals with autism spectrum disorder who do not have a PTEN mutation with a large head circumference.
ASD no PTEN no macrocephaly
Individuals with autism spectrum disorder who do not have a PTEN mutation without a large head circumference.
Siblings
Siblings of individuals with autism spectrum disorders.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Time Frame
Total Brain Volume
Time Frame: Baseline
Baseline

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

The Cleveland Clinic

Collaborators

National Institutes of Health (NIH)
National Center for Research Resources (NCRR)

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Thomas W Frazier, Ph.D., The Cleveland Clinic
  • Principal Investigator: Charis Eng, M.D., Ph.D., The Cleveland Clinic

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

Helpful Links

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

May 1, 2010

Primary Completion (Actual)

August 1, 2014

Study Completion (Actual)

August 1, 2014

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

October 11, 2011

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

October 13, 2011

First Posted (Estimate)

October 14, 2011

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

January 14, 2015

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

January 7, 2015

Last Verified

January 1, 2015

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • CCF 09-624
  • UL1RR024989 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

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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