Status:

WITHDRAWN

Mercury Chelation to Treat Autism

Lead Sponsor:

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Conditions:

Autism

Asperger's Disorder

Eligibility:

All Genders

4-10 years

Phase:

PHASE2

Brief Summary

This study will examine whether DMSA, an oral chelating agent that removes mercury and other metals from the body, is beneficial for children with autism. DMSA is commonly used to treat autism, althou...

Detailed Description

Chelation of metals is widely used in the community to treat individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), with some surveys estimating that 1 in 12 children with autism have undergone chelation. T...

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

  • INCLUSION CRITERIA:
  • Subjects may be included in the study only if they meet all of the following criteria:
  • Male or female subjects, four to ten years of age.
  • Meets research criteria for ASD (specifically, autism, Asperger Disorder, or Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified).
  • Detectable (greater than 0.1 microgram per deciliter) levels of blood lead and/or blood mercury.
  • Each legal guardian must have a level of understanding sufficient to agree to all required tests and examinations. Each legal guardian must understand the nature of the study and must provide written consent to study protocol.
  • EXCLUSION CRITERIA:
  • History of allergic reaction to sulfur or thiol-containing substances
  • History of previous chelation therapy for autism
  • History of uncontrolled epilepsy
  • Weight less than 15 kg at screening
  • Presence of a chronic medical condition that might interfere with study participation in which study participation would be contraindicated or in which there may be clinically significant abnormal baseline laboratory results.
  • Level of lead above 10 microgram per d, or level of mercury over 44 microgram per deciliter (toxic levels that require intervention with chelation and preclude placebo assignment) or other evidence of heavy metal toxicity.
  • Recent (less than two months prior to study entry) initiation of behavior therapy

Exclusion

    Key Trial Info

    Start Date :

    September 1 2006

    Trial Type :

    INTERVENTIONAL

    Allocation :

    ACTUAL

    End Date :

    March 1 2007

    Estimated Enrollment :

    Patients enrolled

    Trial Details

    Trial ID

    NCT00376194

    Start Date

    September 1 2006

    End Date

    March 1 2007

    Last Update

    September 18 2013

    Active Locations (1)

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    Page 1 of 1 (1 locations)

    1

    National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), 9000 Rockville Pike

    Bethesda, Maryland, United States, 20892