Project Summary

Sherie Lynn Novotny, M.D. (Young Investigator 2006) of the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ), seeks to learn if the drug oxcarbazepine will treat irritability and aggression in autistic children and adolescents. Although many medications have been studied for the treatment of autism symptoms, such as irritability, no FDA-approved medications are available to date. Oxcarbazepine has been shown to stabilize moods and decrease irritability in individuals with bipolar disorder. Given the abnormalities recently found in the GABA (an inhibitory neurotransmitter) system in individuals with autism and that preliminary data suggests mood-stabilizing medication affecting this neurotransmitter might treat symptoms of irritability and aggression in autism, Dr. Novotny proposes performing a blinded, placebo-controlled trial of oxcarbazepine. In the study, 20 children between 5 and 17 years of age will undergo diagnostic and IQ testing prior to getting treatment with oxcarbazepine or placebo. Patients will be regularly assessed for response on symptoms such as irritability, aggression, and mood instability using standardized scales.

Program Area: PERVASIVE DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS\Autism

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