Pilot Study of Sleep Therapy and Biomarkers in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders

Summary

The purpose of this study is to test the combined effect of melatonin and donepezil on improving sleep and behavior in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Melatonin is a natural neurohormone that helps regulate sleep and wake cycles. Donepezil is used to improve mental function for people with Alzheimer's disease. Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders are more likely to have problems sleeping than other children. This difficulty has been linked to daytime behavioral problems and family stress.

Timeline

Start

2015-06

Primary completion

2020-12-31

Completion

2021-01-29

Publications

• Background Buckley AW, Sassower K, Rodriguez AJ, Jennison K, Wingert K, Buckley J, Thurm A, Sato S, Swedo S. An open label trial of donepezil for enhancement of rapid eye movement sleep in young children with autism spectrum disorders. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2011 Aug;21(4):353-7. doi: 10.1089/cap.2010.0121.
• Background Cidav Z, Marcus SC, Mandell DS. Implications of childhood autism for parental employment and earnings. Pediatrics. 2012 Apr;129(4):617-23. doi: 10.1542/peds.2011-2700. Epub 2012 Mar 19.
• Background Malow BA, Marzec ML, McGrew SG, Wang L, Henderson LM, Stone WL. Characterizing sleep in children with autism spectrum disorders: a multidimensional approach. Sleep. 2006 Dec;29(12):1563-71. doi: 10.1093/sleep/29.12.1563.
• Background Richdale AL, Schreck KA. Sleep problems in autism spectrum disorders: prevalence, nature, & possible biopsychosocial aetiologies. Sleep Med Rev. 2009 Dec;13(6):403-11. doi: 10.1016/j.smrv.2009.02.003. Epub 2009 Apr 24.
• Background Taylor MA, Schreck KA, Mulick JA. Sleep disruption as a correlate to cognitive and adaptive behavior problems in autism spectrum disorders. Res Dev Disabil. 2012 Sep-Oct;33(5):1408-17. doi: 10.1016/j.ridd.2012.03.013. Epub 2012 Apr 21.
• Background Wasdell MB, Jan JE, Bomben MM, Freeman RD, Rietveld WJ, Tai J, Hamilton D, Weiss MD. A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of controlled release melatonin treatment of delayed sleep phase syndrome and impaired sleep maintenance in children with neurodevelopmental disabilities. J Pineal Res. 2008 Jan;44(1):57-64. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-079X.2007.00528.x.

Drugs

Indications