Pediatric Clinical Trials

Sapropterin as a Treatment for Autistic Disorder

This study is intended to provide a definitive test of the hypothesis that elevating sapropterin (tetrahydrobiopterin, a cofactor for several key brain enzymes)concentrations in the CNS will result in measurable improvements in core symptoms of autism in young individuals, under age 6 years. The study will entail a double-blind, placebo-controlled 16-week intervention.

Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial.

Intervention(s):

  • drug: sapropterin
  • drug: Placebo

Eligibility


Inclusion Criteria:

   - Parents sign informed consent

   - Child meets criteria for autistic disorder (based on score on the Autism Diagnostic
   Interview-Revised (ADI-R) and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), given
   by a certified administrator, research reliable)

   - Child has a Developmental Quotient (DQ) ≥ 50 (Vineland Adaptive Scales, Interview
   Edition)

   - Parents agree to delay initiation of other treatments during double-blind trial

Exclusion Criteria:

   - Child has had seizures in past 6 months or a change in seizure medications in past 4
   weeks.

   - Child has > 18 points on subscale of (Autism Behavior Checklist) ABC-I

   - Child is taking any psychoactive medication other than supplements, anticonvulsants,
   or soporifics (melatonin, diphenhydramine)

   - Child has had any change in standing medications in the past 4 weeks.

   - Child has known genetic disorders

   - Child has known severe neurological disorders, including cerebral palsy

Ages Eligible for Study

3 Years - 6 Years

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Not currently accepting new patients for this trial

Contact Information

Stanford University
School of Medicine
300 Pasteur Drive
Stanford, CA 94305
Lynne Huffman, MD
(650) 725-8314
Not Recruiting