Natural Treatments for the Management of Emotional Dysregulation in Youth With Non-verbal Learning Disability (NVLD) and/or Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study consists of a 6-week, open-label, randomized clinical trial study to compare efficacy and tolerability of the natural treatments omega-3 fatty acids, inositol, and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in the treatment of mood dysregulation in children and adolescents with non-verbal learning disability (NVLD) or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Subjects will include youth ages 5-17 years with a non-verbal learning disability (NVLD) or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and current symptoms of emotional dysregulation.

Official Title
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An Open-Label Clinical Trial Conducted Via Telepsychiatry of Complementary and Alternative Treatments (Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Inositol vs. N-acetylcysteine) for the Management of Emotional Dysregulation in Youth With Non-verbal Learning Disability (NVLD) and/or Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)

Conditions
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Non-verbal Learning Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Autism

Intervention / Treatment
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* Drug: Open-label Treatment with Omega-3 Fatty Acids + Inositol
* Drug: Open-label Treatment with N-acetylcysteine


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: A previous established diagnosis of non-verbal learning disability (NVLD) or DSM-V Autism Spectrum Disorder and/ or combined T-scores on the Child Behavior Checklist > 195 on the Withdrawn + Social Problems + Thought Problems subscales. Current symptoms of emotional dysregulation as indicated by combined T-scores on the Child Behavior Checklist > 180 on the Anxiety/Depression + Aggression + Attention subscales. Subjects and their caregivers must be English-speaking and have a level of understanding sufficient to communicate intelligently with the investigator and study coordinator, and to cooperate with all tests and examinations required by the protocol. Subjects and their caregivers must be willing and able to comply with all study procedures. Each subject and his/her authorized legal representative must understand the nature of the study. The subject's authorized legal representative must sign an informed consent document and the subject must sign an informed assent document. Subject must be able to swallow pills. Subject must have access to a computer with a camera, speaker, microphone, and internet connection. Exclusion Criteria: Investigator and his/her immediate family; defined as the investigator's spouse, parent, child, grandparent, or grandchild. Serious or unstable illness including hepatic, renal, gastroenterological, respiratory, cardiovascular (including ischemic heart disease), endocrinologic, neurologic, immunologic, or hematologic disease. History of bleeding diathesis, including those with von Willebrand disease. Uncorrected hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. History of sensitivity to omega-3 fatty acids, inositol or NAC. A non-responder or history of intolerance to omega-3 fatty acid, inositol or NAC after 2 months of treatment at adequate doses as determined by the clinician. Severe allergies or multiple adverse drug reactions. Unstable or untreated seizure disorder. DSM-IV substance use, abuse or dependence. Judged clinically to be at serious suicidal risk for C-SSRS score ≥ 4. Current diagnosis of schizophrenia. Current diagnosis or symptoms of psychosis. IQ < 70. Pregnant or nursing. Weighs less than 12.5kg.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 5 Years
Maximum Age: 17 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Omega-3 Fatty Acids + Inositol<br>Subjects will be treated with 1020mg QAM + 1020mg QPM of omega-3 fatty acids and inositol based on weight (subjects under 25kg: 1000mg QD; Subjects weighing 25kg or more: 2000mg QD). | Drug: Open-label Treatment with Omega-3 Fatty Acids + Inositol<br>* Open-label Treatment with Omega-3 Fatty Acids + Inositol<br>|
| Experimental: N-acetylcysteine<br>Subjects will be treated with N-acetylcysteine capsules (subjects ages 5-12: 1800mg QD; subjects ages 13-17: 2400 mg QD) or effervescent tablets (subjects ages 5-12: 1800mg QD; subjects ages 13-17: 2700 mg QD) based on age. | Drug: Open-label Treatment with N-acetylcysteine<br>* Open-label Treatment with acetylcysteine<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Mean Change in the Parent-Young Mania Rating Scale (P-YMRS) Score | The YMRS consists of 11 items rated on a scale from 0 (symptoms not present) to 4 (symptoms extremely severe). It is used to assess manic symptoms. The YMRS score ranges from 0-60. Questions are asked about the last week. This scale is generally accepted as the main outcome measure in studies of pediatric bipolar disorder and is linked directly to the core symptoms of mania. | Baseline to 6 Weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Mean Change in the Parent-completed Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) | The CDI consists of 27 items quantifying symptoms such as depressed mood, hedonic capacity, vegetative functions, self-evaluation, and interpersonal behaviors. Each item consists of three statements graded in order of increasing severity from 0 to 2; parents select the one that characterized their child's symptoms best during the past 1 week. The item scores are combined into a total depression score, which ranges from 0 to 54. A higher CDI score means a higher depressive state. | Baseline to 6 Weeks | 
| Mean Change in the NIMH Clinical Global Improvement scale (CGI) | The CGI is a measure of illness severity adapted for specific disorders. It allows rating of mania, depression and overall bipolar disorder illness, as well as other conditions frequently comorbid with bipolar disorder. The severity score ranges from 1 (normal, not at all ill) to 7 (among the most extremely ill patients). The improvement score ranges from 1 (very much improved) to 7 (very much worse). | Baseline to 6 Weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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autism, learning disorder, natural supplements, NAC, omega-3