Conditions: Autism Spectrum Disorder
Keywords: Autism Spectrum disorder Oxytocin Clinical Trial Children Pharmacology
Allocation: NA | Intervention model: SINGLE_GROUP
Enrollment: 15
Healthy volunteers: no

Brief summary:
Extensive data has been accumulated to suggest that central release of oxytocin is important for social cognition and function, as well as likely involved in anxiety modulation and repetitive behaviors. The principal investigators of this study have previously documented: 1) an association between Autism Spectrum Disorder and a single nuclear polymorphism of the oxytocin receptor gene, 2) ability to measure oxytocin levels in the blood by enzyme immunoassay and 3) preliminary data to support safety and efficacy of intranasal oxytocin in the treatment of social deficits and repetitive behaviors in adults with autism. A medication treatment targeting the core deficits of Autism Spectrum Disorder in childhood is highly valuable because it could influence the developmental trajectory and make further psychosocial interventions possible. In this context, we propose a small dose finding study to confirm that the dose used in the adult study is not more than the maximum tolerated dose in youth. '

Detailed description:

Arms:
arm 1: A modified dose finding method will be used to determine safety among four dose levels for Intranasal Oxytocin. Half the dose (0.2 IU/kg /dose) is the minimum dose and two intermediate doses will also be evaluated (0.26 and 0.33 IU/kg / dose) Dose-finding escalations will be done in groups of three patients.Three patients will be studied at the first dose level. If none of these patients experience dose limiting toxicity, the dose will be escalated. If one experiences dose limiting toxicity, up to three more will be accrued at the same level. If none of these experience dose limiting toxicity, the dose will be escalated. If one or more of these experience dose-limiting toxicity, entry at that dose level will be stopped. Up to three more patients will be treated at the next lower dose. If zero out of these experience dose limiting toxicity, an additional three patients will be treated at that dose.

Interventions: intervention 1: Intranasal Oxytocin
Intervention descriptions: intervention 1: We are selecting morning and afternoon dosing to try to influence most hours where youth are in settings with increased potential for social interaction (school, after school). Medication will be administered by the parents before school and early afternoon. All patients will receive their first dose by the study physician to educate parents and themselves on proper administration and determine safety of first dose.

Protocol document: