OBJECTIVES:

I. Compare the developmental course (language acquisition, diagnostic stability, predictors of outcome, and restricted interests and behaviors) of childhood disintegrative disorder versus autism and non-autistic developmental delays.

II. Collect data on molecular genetics of proband and family members.

Condition
Pervasive Child Development Disorders Autism

Further Study Details: 

Expected Total Enrollment:  220

PROTOCOL OUTLINE:

Patients are evaluated with the following questionnaires at ages 2-3 years and again at ages 5-9: The Autism Diagnostic Interview (ADI); The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS); Assessment of cognitive functioning; Expressive and receptive language; Adaptive functioning; Measures of burden and functional assessment; The Aberrant Behavior Checklist; The Connors Rating Scale - Parent and Teacher version; and Autism Behavior Checklist

An MRI and EEG are performed, and blood samples are collected from patients and family members for molecular genetic studies.

Ages Eligible for Study:  2 Years   -   9 Years,  Genders Eligible for Study:  Both

Criteria

• Psychologically diagnosed (DSM-IV) as Childhood Disintegrative Disorder
• No known genetic or medical syndrome (Down syndrome or cerebral palsy)
• Must speak English

Connecticut
      Yale Child Study Center, New Haven,  Connecticut,  06520,  United States
Illinois
      University of Chicago Cancer Research Center, Chicago,  Illinois,  60637,  United States

Study chairs or principal investigators

Fred Volkmar,  Study Chair,  Yale University   

Study ID Numbers:  199/13682; YALE-5P01HD0300830; YALE-HIC-5895
Record last reviewed:  October 2003
Last Updated:  October 13, 2004
Record first received:  October 18, 1999
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:  NCT00004458
Health Authority: United States: Federal Government
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on 2005-04-08