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Folinic Acid in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders

Phase 2
Conditions
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Interventions
Drug: FOLINORAL
Other: Placebo
Registration Number
NCT02551380
Lead Sponsor
Central Hospital, Nancy, France
Brief Summary

The investigator planned to study the efficiency of folinic acid treatment on autistic symptoms in children suffering from autism spectrum disorder.

Detailed Description

The aim of this study is to realise a pilot study in France in order to evaluate the efficiency of folinic acid in treatment of autism spectrum disorder and get first estimations about prevalence of auto antibodies anti-FRα in France.

The study is a randomized controlled trial monocentric,evaluating folinic acid 10mg per day versus placebo, in single-blind during 12 weeks.

Primary objective : The primary objective is to evaluate the efficiency of folinic acid (calcium folinate) 5mg twice a day during 12 weeks on reduction of autistic troubles, particularly on communication and social interaction

Secondary objective :

* Evaluate the efficiency of folinic acid on reduction of autistic symptoms perceived by parents

* Evaluate the constancy of auto antibodies anti-FRα rates

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
40
Inclusion Criteria
  1. Children with autism spectrum disorders defined by : Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), Autism Diagnostic Interview (ADI), Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) or diagnosed by a physician (pediatrician, child psychiatrist)
  2. Children aged 3 to 10 years
  3. Weight> 10 kg
  4. Language impairment (based on the medical assessment)
  5. Ability to maintain other therapies started before the study
  6. No changes of therapeutic treatments within the 8 weeks before the start of the study
Exclusion Criteria
  1. Treatment may impair folate metabolism (methotrexate, anticonvulsivants : phenobarbital sodium valproate, phenytoin, primidone, carbamazepine, valproic acid, divalproex, antibiotics : tetracycline, trimethoprim, pyrimethamine, inhibitors of proton pump inhibitors of histamine-2)
  2. Antipsychotic treatment (including treatment with Risperidone)
  3. Vitamin or mineral supplementation exceeding guidelines
  4. Children with severe irritability (Aberrant Behavior Checklist> 17)
  5. Gastroesophageal reflux disease
  6. Any known renal or liver disease
  7. Child born premature (<37SA)
  8. Known intolerance to lactose
  9. Hypersensitivity / allergic reaction to calcium folinate
  10. The sibling children with autism spectrum disorders

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
TreatedFOLINORALtreatment with Folinoral (folinic acid) 5mg twice a day (10 mg per day) during 12 weeks
controlPlacebotreatment with one capsule of placebo twice a day during 12 weeks
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Evaluation of severity of autistic symptoms with standardized scale ADOS (Autism Diagnosis Observation Scale)change in ADOS scale at 12 weeks

Autistic symptoms (particularly communication and social interaction) measured by standardized scale ADOS (Autism Diagnosis Observation Scale) : comparison of score between folinic acid group and placebo at T0 et after 12 weeks of treatment

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Evaluation of the reduction of autistic symptom perceived by parents with a heteroevaluation scale : SRS (social responsiveness scale)Change in SRS at 12 weeks

- Evaluation of the reduction of autistic symptom perceived by parents with a heteroevaluation scale : SRS (social responsiveness scale)

o Comparison of score between folinic acid group and placebo group at T0 (inclusion) and after 12 weeks of treatment

evaluate the constancy of auto antibodies anti-FRαchange of auto antibodies anti-FRα at 12 weeks

Serum dosage of auto antibodies anti-FRα at T0 and at 12 weeks to evaluate the constancy of auto antibodies anti-FRα

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

CHU Nancy-Hopital Brabois Enfants

🇫🇷

Vandoeuvre les Nancy, France

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