Please select the eligibility criteria that correspond to the clinical trial below.
Title: Divalproex Sodium vs. Placebo in Childhood/Adolescent Autism
Brief Summary: The study is designed to assess the efficacy of treatment with divalproex sodium (DS) vs. placebo in childhood/adolescent autism fulfilling DSM-IV and Autism Diagnostic Interview (ADI) criteria. Currently, there are no FDA-approved treatments for this disorder, although behavioral and educational therapies and a variety of medications may play a role in the management of some autistic symptoms.


Options:
A: Meets DSM-IV, ADI, and ADOS criteria for autistic disorder

Age 5-17.

Outpatients

Parent/legal guardian signing informed consent, and assent documented for patient with demonstrated capacity to provide it.

Sexually active females of childbearing potential must use an acceptable method of birth control (oral contraceptive medications \[the administration of which must be supervised by a parent or guardian\], IUD, depot medication or tubal ligation) and have a negative serum pregnancy test prior to entry into the study.

Subject scores at least "4" (moderately ill) on the Clinical Global Impression-Severity Scale for Autistic Disorder (CGI-AD).

Subject meets the following criteria at pre-study diagnostic assessment and baseline assessment: OAS-M 13 or ABC-Irritability Subscale 18 (raw scores).

Subjects with history of seizures, who have been seizure-free for 6 months on a stable dose of anticonvulsant medication other than divalproex sodium or related formulations (e.g., depakene). Non-medicated subjects with a history of seizures who have been seizure-free for 6 months. Subjects with abnormal EEG but no clinical seizures.

State exclusion criteria for enrollment in study:

Subjects who are pregnant or nursing mothers. Sexually active women of childbearing potential who are not using adequate birth control measures (detailed above in inclusion criteria).

Subjects with overall adaptive behavior scores below the age of two years on the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Rating Scale.

Subjects with active or unstable epilepsy.

Subjects with any of the following past or present mental disorders: schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder or organic mental disorders.

Subjects who are a serious suicidal risk.

Subjects with clinically significant or unstable medical illness that would contraindicate participation in the study, including hematopoietic or cardiovascular disease, pancreatitis, liver toxicity, and polycystic ovary syndrome.

Subjects reporting history of encephalitis, phenylketonuria, tuberous sclerosis, fragile X syndrome, anoxia during birth, pica, neurofibromatosis, hypomelanosis of Ito, hypothyroidism, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and maternal rubella.

Patients with history of the following:

gastrointestinal, liver, or kidney, or other known conditions which will presently interfere presently with the absorption, distribution, metabolism, or excretion of drugs; cerebrovascular disease or brain trauma; clinically significant unstable endocrine disorder, such as hypo- or hyperthyroidism; recent history or presence of any form of malignancy

Treatment within the previous 30 days with any drug known to a well-defined potential for toxicity to a major organ

Subjects with clinically significant abnormalities in laboratory tests or physical exam.

Subjects likely to require ECT or any other psychotropic medication during the study, unless otherwise permitted.

Subjects unable to tolerate taper from psychoactive medication if necessary.

Subjects with a history of hypersensitivity or severe side effects associated with the use of divalproex sodium, or other an ineffective prior therapeutic trial of divalproex sodium (serum levels within range of 50-100 ug/ml for 6 weeks).

Subjects who have received any of the following interventions within the prescribed period before starting treatment:

investigational drugs within the previous 30 days; depot neuroleptic medication; psychotropic drugs not permitted for concurrent use in the study within the previous seven days; fluoxetine within the previous five weeks.

Subjects who have begun any new alternative non-medication treatments, such as diet, vitamins, and psychosocial therapy, within the previous three months.

Subjects with any organic or systemic disease or patients who require a therapeutic intervention, not otherwise specified, which would confound the evaluation of the safety of the study medication.

Subjects who reside in a remote geographical area who do not have regular access to transportation to the clinical facility.
B: Inclusion Criteria:

* DSM-IV diagnosis of Autistic Disorder (299.00)
* ABC-I Subscale score of greater than or equal to 18
* CGI-S of greater than or equal to 4
* mental age \>18 months, body weight of at least 20 kg, seizure-free for at least 6 consecutive months and if on anticonvulsants must be on a dosage that has been stable for at least 4 weeks
* Medication free for 1 week before the start of the study for all psychotropic drugs, except 4 weeks for fluoxetine and at least 8 weeks for injectable medications
* Female patients must be premenarchal or sexually abstinent or, if heterosexually active, must practice an effective method of birth control.

Exclusion Criteria:

* History of prior or current DSM-IV psychotic disorder (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, other psychosis), Pervasive Developmental Disorder not otherwise specified (PDD NOS), Asperger's, or Rett's
* Any history of hypersensitivity to risperidone, or its excipients in formulation, or other known drug allergy
* Patients who received risperidone within 3 months before screening (except p.r.n. use)
* Patients who did not demonstrate sufficient clinical response to an adequate trial of risperidone treatment in the past (an adequate trial is defined as a period of at least 4 weeks at an adequate dose)
* Neurologic disorder (e.g., Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome, seizure disorders that are unstable, seizure activity within the past 6 months)
* History of alcohol or substance dependence within 3 months of screening
* Female subject who is pregnant (positive beta-HCG) or breast feeding
* Patients with existing moderate or severe EPS or history of tardive dyskinesia
* Patients who have received an experimental drug or used an experimental medical device within 3 months before the planned start of treatment.
C: Inclusion Criteria:

* Clinical diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder, Asperger Syndrome or Autism
* Male
* Age between 18 and 40 years old

Exclusion Criteria:

* Associated neuro(psycho)logical disorder (i.e. epilepsy, concussion, stroke)
* Eye sight worse than + or - 7
* Genetic syndrome
* Color blindness
* Any contraindication to neuroimaging research as assessed with the MRI screening list:

MRI contraindications:

pacemaker, implanted defibrillator, ear implant / a cochlear implant, insulin or implanted pump, a neurostimulator or VP shunt, any metallic object in the eyes (metallic fragments)
D: Inclusion Criteria

* Autism based on DSM-IV criteria
* IQ \> 35
* Medically fit for the study in the judgment of the study officials

Exclusion Criteria

* Prior administration of secretin
* Acute or chronic pancreatitis
* Use of anticholinergics within 72 hours of study entry or anticipated need for anticholinergics during study
* Allergies to pork products
* Use of investigational drug within 1 month of study entry
* Change in any medication or other therapeutic modality being used to treat any neurodevelopmental or gastrointestinal symptoms of the underlying autism disorder within 1 month of study entry
* Any medical condition which, in the judgment of the investigator, would make the patient unable to safely participate in the study or comply with all study procedures
* Any medical diagnosis which could account for autistic spectrum disorder (i.e., Rett syndrome, Fragile X, tuberous sclerosis, disintegrative disorder, epilepsy, Landau Kleffner, other mental retardation syndromes, or history of severe motor delays or current sensory or motor impairment such as cerebral palsy)
* Hearing or visual impairments
* Use of psychotropic medications (except for occasional symptomatic use for sleep, etc.) within 6 months of study entry

Answer: A