Clinical trial NCT02472860: Feasibility and Effectiveness of Computerized Cognitive Training in Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Official title: Feasibility and Effectiveness of Computerized Cognitive Training in Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Autism Spectrum Disorder
Keywords: Autism Spectrum Disorder
Neuroplasticity-based Cognitive Training
Lead sponsor: Massachusetts General Hospital
Sponsor class: OTHER
Collaborators: name: Deborah Munroe Noonan Memorial Research Fund
First posted: 2015-06-16
Enrollment: 29
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 13
Maximum age (years): 17
Standard ages: CHILD
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: The investigators will conduct a randomized placebo-controlled trial of a computerized intervention targeting cognition in 30 teens with autism spectrum disorder.

Detailed description: Given the limited options for treatments to improve the core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), strategies that could target secondary features of the condition and improve quality of life for affected individuals are critical. Neuroplasticity-based cognitive training has been found to improve cognition in youth with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and in adults with schizophrenia. In this trial, the investigators are seeking to extend the relevance of computerized cognitive training to youth with ASD. Given the literature, the investigators hypothesize that computerized cognitive training will produce gains in untrained cognitive tasks and behavioral ratings of executive functions in youth with ASD. The investigators will assess aspects of attention and executive functions in 30 affected youth and randomize them 1:1 to either neuroplasticity based cognitive tests or enjoyable age-appropriate computer games not intended to improve cognition. Cognition will be assessed again after 15 hours of training over 6 weeks and then again at a three month follow up.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

1. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-5 ASD or previously diagnosed DSM-IV autistic disorder, Asperger's disorder or pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (NOS) and who continue to manifest symptoms in core domains
2. Current ASD symptomatology at time of enrollment
3. Evidence of decrements in at least one of three target cognitive domains (mental flexibility/abstraction, working memory, or attention).

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Intellectual Disability
2. A known comorbid neurodevelopmental disorder with possible association with autism (i.e., fragile X syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, Angelman syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, Williams syndrome, neurofibromatosis, mitochondrial disorder).
3. Nonverbal or minimal verbal ability
4. No computer/internet connection at home
5. No family member with e-mail
6. Patients likely to have a change in therapeutic treatments within the next 6 weeks

Primary outcomes:
measure: Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB)
timeFrame: 6 weeks
Secondary outcomes:
Other outcomes:
Locations:
Study officials:
affiliation: Massachusetts General Hospital
name: Alysa E Doyle, PhD
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References: