CASCADE: CAnnabidiol Study in Children With Autism Spectrum DisordEr

Phase 2

Active, not recruiting

Conditions: Autism Spectrum Disorder

Interventions: Drug: Oral cannabidiol 100mg/mL
Drug: Placebo

Registration Number: NCT04520685

Lead Sponsor: University of Colorado, Denver

Brief Summary: This is a randomized, placebo-controlled study but all study participants will receive the active study medication at some point during the study for at least 12 weeks, and some children with receive CBD for the entire study.

Detailed Description: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a relatively common neurodevelopmental disorder manifest by social communication deficits and restricted and repetitive interests. Individuals with ASD often have behavioral issues and psychiatric comorbidities which can be very hard to manage. Currently, there are only two FDA approved medications (aripiprazole and risperidone) for the treatment of irritability in ASD. Both medications have the potential for side effects and are not tolerated in all children with ASD. Anecdotal and some preliminary studies suggest that cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive cannabinoid in the marijuana plant, may lead to improvements in symptoms of ASD including irritability, aggressive behaviors, and anxiety.

In this study the investigators will test whether CBD leads to differences in behaviors commonly associated with ASD. The main behavioral problems investigators will study are irritability and aggressive behavior. This study will also measure changes in other behaviors seen in ASD such as anxiety, social interaction difficulties, repetitive behaviors, attentional problems, hyperactivity, repetitive behaviors, and quality of life. Study investigators will also test whether there are any important side effects of CBD in children and adolescents with ASD.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status: ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING

Sex: All

Target Recruitment: 86

Inclusion Criteria

Male or female children and adolescents aged 5-17 years, inclusive, at the time of screening.
Judged by the investigator to be in good health at screening based upon the results of a medical history, physical examination, 12-lead ECG, and clinical laboratory test results.
Patients must have a previous documented diagnosis of ASD by a medical or psychological professional.
Patients must be assessed by the Investigator as being moderately to severely impacted due to ASD
Patients who are taking psychotropic medication(s) should be on a stable regimen of no more than 2 medications for at least 4 weeks preceding study Screening and must maintain that regimen throughout the study. Psychotropic medications include (but are not limited to) antipsychotics, antidepressants, mood stabilizers, anxiolytics, and ADHD medications.
Patients with a history of seizure disorders must currently be receiving treatment with a stable regimen of one or two AEDs, or must be seizure-free for 1 year if not currently receiving AEDs.
Patients with seizures should be on a stable regimen for the 3 months preceding study enrollment of no more than 2 of the permitted anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs). Patients must remain on a stable AED dose throughout the study.
If patients are receiving non-pharmacological educational, behavioral, and/or dietary interventions or therapies, they must be stable and have been doing so for 2 months prior to screening. Changes with school breaks are expected and do not apply.
Patients must have a BMI of between 12-32 kg/m2 (inclusive).
Females of childbearing potential and must have a negative serum pregnancy test at the Screening Visit and a negative urine pregnancy test at all designated visits.
Patients/caregivers agree to abide by all study restrictions and comply with all study procedures.
Parents/caregivers must be able to read and respond to questions and questionnaires in English.
Patients/caregivers must be adequately informed of the nature and risks of the study and give written informed consent prior to screening.
Parents/caregiver(s) must provide written consent to assist in study drug administration.
In the Investigator's opinion, patients/caregivers are reliable and willing and able to comply with all protocol requirements and procedures (including scheduled visits and confinement periods).

Exclusion Criteria

Adolescent females who are pregnant, nursing, or planning a pregnancy. Females of childbearing potential and male patients with a partner of childbearing potential who are unwilling or unable to use standard acceptable methods of contraception (including abstinence, hormonal contraception, diaphragm, cervical cap, vaginal sponge, condom, or intrauterine device) for the duration of the study and for 1 month after the last dose of study medication.
History of significant allergic condition, significant drug-related hypersensitivity, or allergic reaction to any compound or chemical class related to CBD (Epidiolex) or its ingredients.
Exposure to any investigational drug or device < 30 days prior to screening, or plans to take another investigational drug at any time during the study.
Use of any THC or CBD-containing product within 4 weeks of Screening Visit, planned use during the study, or positive THC urine test at screening.
Patient is using the following medications: clobazam (Onfi, Frisium), felbamate (Felbatol), vigabatrin (Sabril), or everolimus (Afinitor).
Plan to initiate or change pharmacologic or non-pharmacologic interventions during the course of the study.
Patient has ALT, AST, total bilirubin, or creatinine levels ≥ 2 times the ULN, alkaline phosphatase levels ≥ 3 times the ULN, or Hct <1.2 times the LLN as determined from screening safety laboratories.
Severe or unstable symptoms of ASD that may interfere with the study outcome evaluations and interpretation of results.
Suffering from acute or progressive neurological disease, psychosis, schizophrenia or any psychiatric disorder or severe psychiatric abnormalities that are likely to require changes in drug therapy or interfere with the objectives of the study or the ability to adhere to protocol requirements.
Has suspected or confirmed cardiovascular disease.
History of treatment for, or evidence of, drug or alcohol abuse within the past year.

Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL

Study Design: CROSSOVER

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Arm 3: 15 weeks of placebo then 12 weeks of study drug	Oral cannabidiol 100mg/mL	Subjects in this group will receive placebo for the first 15 weeks of the study and cannabidiol for the last 12 weeks.
Arm 3: 27 weeks of study drug	Oral cannabidiol 100mg/mL	Subjects in this group will receive cannabidiol throughout the entire 27 weeks of treatment.
Arm 1: 12 weeks of study drug then 15 weeks of placebo	Oral cannabidiol 100mg/mL	Subjects in this group will receive cannabidiol for the first 12 weeks of the study and placebo for the last 15 weeks.
Arm 1: 12 weeks of study drug then 15 weeks of placebo	Placebo	Subjects in this group will receive cannabidiol for the first 12 weeks of the study and placebo for the last 15 weeks.
Arm 3: 15 weeks of placebo then 12 weeks of study drug	Placebo	Subjects in this group will receive placebo for the first 15 weeks of the study and cannabidiol for the last 12 weeks.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Aberrant Behavior Checklist- 2nd Edition (ABC-2): Irritability subscale raw score	Baseline to Week 12	The Aberrant Behavior Checklist- 2nd Edition (ABC-2) is a standard parent/caregiver reported behavioral outcome measure for use in developmental disability clinical trials. The ABC-2 is a 58-item questionnaire and measures domains of Irritability, Lethargy/Social Withdrawal, Stereotypic Behavior, Hyperactivity/noncompliance, and Inappropriate Speech. Behaviors are assessed using a 4-point Likert scale. Scores range from "not at all a problem" (0) to "the problem is severe in degree" (3). The Irritability subscale range is from 0 to 45.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Trial Locations

Locations (1): Children's Hospital Colorado
🇺🇸
Aurora, Colorado, United States

CASCADE: CAnnabidiol Study in Children With Autism Spectrum DisordEr

Recruitment & Eligibility

Study & Design

Trial Locations

Instant Trial Alerts

Instant Trial Alerts

Name	Time	Method
Aberrant Behavior Checklist- 2nd Edition (ABC-2): Stereotypic Behavior subscale	Baseline to Week 12	The Aberrant Behavior Checklist- 2nd Edition (ABC-2) is a standard parent/caregiver reported behavioral outcome measure for use in developmental disability clinical trials. The ABC-2 is a 58-item questionnaire and measures domains of Irritability, Lethargy/Social Withdrawal, Stereotypic Behavior, Hyperactivity/noncompliance, and Inappropriate Speech. Behaviors are assessed using a 4-point Likert scale. Scores range from "not at all a problem" (0) to "the problem is severe in degree" (3). The Stereotypic Behavior subscale range is from 0 to 21.
Social Responsiveness Scale - 2nd Edition (SRS-2): total T-score	Baseline to Week 12	The Social Responsiveness Scale - 2nd Edition (SRS-2) is a standardized questionnaire that provides T-scores in domains of social communication, social motivation, social cognition, and restrictive/repetitive behaviors. The SRS-2 Total T-score ranges from 30 to ≥90 with higher scores indicating greater deficiencies in reciprocal social behavior.
Ohio Autism Clinical Impressions Scale - Improvement (OACIS-I) scale	Baseline to Week 12	The Ohio Autism Clinical Impressions Scale - Improvement (OACIS-I) is a 10-item, clinician completed measures based upon interview and/or observation. The OACIS-I assesses improvement in domains of social interaction, aberrant behavior (including irritability and aggressive behavior), repetitive or ritualistic behavior, verbal communication, nonverbal communication skills, hyperactivity and inattention, anxiety and fearfulness, sensory sensitivities, restricted and narrow interests, and a global rating of autism severity. A 7-point Likert scale is used with scores ranging from "very much improved" (1) to "very much worse" (7).
Brief Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning - 2nd edition (BRIEF-2): Global Executive Functioning Score	Baseline to Week 12	The Brief Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning - 2nd edition (BRIEF-2) is a standardized rating scale that measures domains of executive functioning, including behavior regulation (inhibition, self-monitoring), emotional regulation (shifting, emotional control), and cognitive regulation (initiation, working memory, plan/organize, task monitoring, and organization of materials). It is made up of 63 items with three answer options (1 = Never; 2= Sometimes; 3=Often). Each item on the parent form is scored 1-3 (1 = Never; 2 = Sometimes; 3 = Often), yielding a raw score of the global scale range from 63 to 189. T scores (M = 50, SD = 10) are used to interpret the level of executive functioning. T-score range is 0-100, and higher scores are indicative of more severe deficiency - 65 or higher is considered to be in the "clinically significant" range.
Brief Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning - 2nd edition (BRIEF-2): ADHD score	Baseline to Week 12	The Brief Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning - 2nd edition (BRIEF-2) is a standardized rating scale that measures domains of executive functioning, including behavior regulation (inhibition, self-monitoring), emotional regulation (shifting, emotional control), and cognitive regulation (initiation, working memory, plan/organize, task monitoring, and organization of materials). It is made up of 63 items with three answer options (1 = Never; 2= Sometimes; 3=Often). For the ADHD score, 18 items on the BRIEF-2 that correlate with clinical criteria for a diagnosis of ADHD each receive a score from 1-3 (1 = Never; 2 = Sometimes; 3 = Often). These items are summed and produce a range from 18-54, with higher values indicating more ADHD symptoms.
Brief Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning - 2nd edition (BRIEF-2): Index scores	Baseline to Week 12	The Brief Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning - 2nd edition (BRIEF-2) is a standardized rating scale that measures domains of executive functioning, including 3 index scores of behavior regulation (inhibition, self-monitoring), emotional regulation (shifting, emotional control), and cognitive regulation (initiation, working memory, plan/organize, task monitoring, and organization of materials). It is made up of 63 items with three answer options (1 = Never; 2= Sometimes; 3=Often). Each item on the parent form is scored 1-3 (1 = Never; 2 = Sometimes; 3 = Often), yielding a raw score of the global scale range from 63 to 189. T scores (M = 50, SD = 10) are used to interpret the level of executive functioning. T-score range is 0-100, and higher scores are indicative of more severe deficiency - 65 or higher is considered to be in the "clinically significant" range.
Anxiety, Depression, and Mood Scale (ADAMS): Total Score	Baseline to Week 12	The Anxiety, Depression, and Mood Scale (ADAMS) is a 28-item parent-report scale designed for individuals with disabilities to measure domains of anxiety (range 0 - 21), depression (range 0 - 21), hyperactivity (range 0 - 15), social avoidance (range 0 - 21), and obsessive/compulsive behavior (range 0 - 9). The total score is the sum of all items (range 0 - 87). Items are rated on a scale of "not a problem" (0) to "severe problem" (3).
Anxiety, Depression, and Mood Scale (ADAMS): General Anxiety subscale	Baseline to Week 12	The Anxiety, Depression, and Mood Scale (ADAMS) is a 28-item parent-report scale designed for individuals with disabilities to measure domains of anxiety (range 0 - 21), depression (range 0 - 21), hyperactivity (range 0 - 15), social avoidance (range 0 - 21), and obsessive/compulsive behavior (range 0 - 9). The total score is the sum of all items (range 0 - 87). Items are rated on a scale of "not a problem" (0) to "severe problem" (3).
Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) - Cognitive Functioning Scale	Baseline to Week 12	The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) - Cognitive Scale is a 6-item caregiver questionnaire to evaluate an individual's mental abilities including learning, thinking, remembering and attention . A 5-point Likert scale is used with responses ranging from "Never" (0) to "Almost Always" (4). Items are reversed scored and transformed to a 0 - 100 scale as follows: 0=100, 1=75, 2=50, 3=25, and 4=0. The total score is the sum of all the items over the number of items answered with higher scores indicating lower problems.
Aberrant Behavior Checklist- 2nd Edition (ABC-2): Lethargy/Social Withdrawal subscale	Baseline to Week 12	The Aberrant Behavior Checklist- 2nd Edition (ABC-2) is a standard parent/caregiver reported behavioral outcome measure for use in developmental disability clinical trials. The ABC-2 is a 58-item questionnaire and measures domains of Irritability, Lethargy/Social Withdrawal, Stereotypic Behavior, Hyperactivity/noncompliance, and Inappropriate Speech. Behaviors are assessed using a 4-point Likert scale. Scores range from "not at all a problem" (0) to "the problem is severe in degree" (3). The Lethargy/Social Withdrawal subscale range is from 0 to 48.
Aberrant Behavior Checklist- 2nd Edition (ABC-2): Inappropriate Speech subscale	Baseline to Week 12	The Aberrant Behavior Checklist- 2nd Edition (ABC-2) is a standard parent/caregiver reported behavioral outcome measure for use in developmental disability clinical trials. The ABC-2 is a 58-item questionnaire and measures domains of Irritability, Lethargy/Social Withdrawal, Stereotypic Behavior, Hyperactivity/noncompliance, and Inappropriate Speech. Behaviors are assessed using a 4-point Likert scale. Scores range from "not at all a problem" (0) to "the problem is severe in degree" (3). The Inappropriate Speech subscale range is from 0 to 12.
Aberrant Behavior Checklist- 2nd Edition (ABC-2): Hyperactivity/Noncompliance subscale	Baseline to Week 12	The Aberrant Behavior Checklist- 2nd Edition (ABC-2) is a standard parent/caregiver reported behavioral outcome measure for use in developmental disability clinical trials. The ABC-2 is a 58-item questionnaire and measures domains of Irritability, Lethargy/Social Withdrawal, Stereotypic Behavior, Hyperactivity/noncompliance, and Inappropriate Speech. Behaviors are assessed using a 4-point Likert scale. Scores range from "not at all a problem" (0) to "the problem is severe in degree" (3). The Hyperactivity/Noncompliance subscale range is from 0 to 48.
Anxiety, Depression, and Mood Scale (ADAMS): Social Avoidance subscale	Baseline to Week 12	The Anxiety, Depression, and Mood Scale (ADAMS) is a 28-item parent-report scale designed for individuals with disabilities to measure domains of anxiety (range 0 - 21), depression (range 0 - 21), hyperactivity (range 0 - 15), social avoidance (range 0 - 21), and obsessive/compulsive behavior (range 0 - 9). The total score is the sum of all items (range 0 - 87). Items are rated on a scale of "not a problem" (0) to "severe problem" (3).
Ohio Autism Clinical Impressions Scale - Severity (OACIS-S) scale	Baseline to Week 12	The Ohio Autism Clinical Impressions Scale - Severity (OACIS-S) is a 10-item, clinician completed measures based upon interview and/or observation. The OACIS-S assesses severity in domains of social interaction, aberrant behavior (including irritability and aggressive behavior), repetitive or ritualistic behavior, verbal communication, nonverbal communication skills, hyperactivity and inattention, anxiety and fearfulness, sensory sensitivities, restricted and narrow interests, and a global rating of autism severity. A 7-point Likert scale is used with scores ranging from "normal" (1) to "among the most severe" (7).
Sleep Clinical Global Impressions - Severity Scale (Sleep CGI-S)	Baseline to Week 12	The Sleep Clinical Global Impressions - Severity Scale (Sleep CGI-S) is a clinician completed measure based upon interview which assesses severity in domains of ability to fall asleep and remain sleeping independently, bedtime resistance; sleep onset delay; night awakening; caregiver satisfaction with their child's current sleep patterns; family functioning, as affected by their child's current sleep patterns. A 7-point Likert scale is used for each domain with scores ranging from "no concerns"/"does not occur" (1) to "Among the worst" (7).
Autism Screening Instrument for Educational Planning - 3rd Edition (ASIEP - 3): Interaction Assessment Autism Interaction Score	Baseline to Week 12	The Autism Screening Instrument for Educational Planning - 3rd Edition (ASIEP-3) is a 12-minute play-based assessment that evaluates social interactions and social responses. Videos of the session are coded for interactions, social avoidance, and negative behaviors (self-stimulatory, aggression). The vocal behavior is also coded as a separate domain to provide a sample of language function.
Repetitive Behavior Scale - Revised (RBS-R)	Baseline to Week 12	The Repetitive Behavior Scale - Revised (RBS-R) is a caregiver-completed, 43-item questionnaire assessing repetitive behaviors with 6 subscales: stereotyped (range 0 - 27), ritualistic/sameness (range 0 - 36) , self-injurious (range 0 - 24), compulsive (range 0 - 18), and restricted (range 0 - 9). The total score ranges from 0 to 129, with a higher score indicating more significant problems with repetitive behaviors. Repetitive Behaviors are assessed using a 4-point Likert scale. Scores range from "behavior does not occur" (0) to "behavior occurs and is a severe problem" (3).
Sleep Clinical Global Impressions - Improvement Scale (Sleep CGI-I)	Baseline to Week 12	The Sleep Clinical Global Impressions - Improvement Scale (Sleep CGI-I) is a clinician completed measure based upon interview which assesses improvement in domains of ability to fall asleep and remain sleeping independently, bedtime resistance; sleep onset delay; night awakening; caregiver satisfaction with their child's current sleep patterns; family functioning, as affected by their child's current sleep patterns. A 7-point Likert scale is used for each domain with scores ranging from "very much improved" (1) to "very much worse" (7).
Autism Family Experience Questionnaire (AFEQ)	Baseline to Week 12	The Autism Family Experience Questionnaire (AFEQ) is a 48-item questionnaire that measures family quality of life with domains of experience of being a parent (range 13 - 65), family live (range 9 - 45), child development and social relationships (range 14 - 70), and child's feelings and behavior (range 12 - 60). The sum of all domains gives the total score (range 48 - 240). Each question is assessed using a 5-point Likert scale. Scores range from "always" (1) to "never" (5)". For the total score and the domain scores a higher score indicates a lower outcome.
NIH Toolbox Scales: Satisfaction with Social Roles and Activities - Short Form 4a	Baseline to Week 12	National Institutes of Health Patient Reported Outcome Measures Information System (NIH PROMIS) will be used to quantify psychological wellbeing and quality of life through self-report and/or parent proxy report. Satisfaction with Social Roles and Activities - Short Form 4a assesses satisfaction with performing one's usual social roles and activities and uses a 5-point Likert scale with scores ranging from "not at all" (1) to "very much" (5). The sum of all scores yields a total raw score (range 4 - 20) with higher scores indicating a greater level of satisfaction. The final score is represented by the T-score, a standardized score with a mean of 50 and a standard deviation (SD) of 10.
NIH Toolbox Scales: Positive Affect - Short Form 4a	Baseline to Week 12	National Institutes of Health Patient Reported Outcome Measures Information System (NIH PROMIS) will be used to quantify psychological wellbeing and quality of life through self-report and/or parent proxy report. Positive Affect - Short Form 41 assesses momentary positive or rewarding affective experiences, such as feelings and mood associated with pleasure, joy, happiness, and excitement. Each question is scored using a 5-point Likert scale with scores ranging from "not at all" (1) to "very much" (5). The sum of all scores yields a total raw score (range 4 - 20) with higher scores indicating a greater level of positive affect. The final score is represented by the T-score, a standardized score with a mean of 50 and a standard deviation (SD) of 10.
NIH Toolbox Scales: Life Satisfaction - Short Form 8b	Baseline to Week 12	National Institutes of Health Patient Reported Outcome Measures Information System (NIH PROMIS) will be used to quantify psychological wellbeing and quality of life through self-report and/or parent proxy report. Life Satisfaction - Short Form 8b assesses an individual's cognitive evaluation of life experiences and whether one likes his/her life or not. Each question is scored using a 5-point Likert scale with scores ranging from "not at all" (1) to "very much" (5). The sum of all scores yields a total raw score (range 8 - 40) with higher scores indicating a greater level of satisfaction. The final score is represented by the T-score, a standardized score with a mean of 50 and a standard deviation (SD) of 10.
Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) - Core Scale	Baseline to Week 12	The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) - Core Scale is a 23-item caregiver questionnaire to evaluate overall quality of life (QOL) in domains of physical functioning, emotional functioning, social functioning, and school functioning. A 5-point Likert scale is used with responses ranging from "Never" (0) to "Almost Always" (4). Items are reversed scored and transformed to a 0 - 100 scale as follows: 0=100, 1=75, 2=50, 3=25, and 4=0. The total score is the sum of all the items over the number of items answered with higher scores indicating better health-related quality of life (HRQoL).