ack of Empathy as a Symptom in various Psychiatric Disorders - Psychopathology and the Lack of Empathy

Phase 1

Conditions: Autism Spectrum Disorder (Autism, Asperger's Syndrome)Conduct DisorderMild Mental Retardation
MedDRA version: 9.1Level: LLTClassification code 10003805Term: Autism
MedDRA version: 9.1Level: LLTClassification code 10064478Term: Conduct disorder
MedDRA version: 9.1Level: LLTClassification code 10027618Term: Mild mental retardation

Registration Number: EUCTR2009-009475-35-NL

Lead Sponsor: KARAKTER universitair centrum voor kinder- en jeudpsychiatrie

Brief Summary: Not available

Detailed Description: Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status: ot Recruiting

Sex: Male

Target Recruitment: Not specified

Inclusion Criteria

Boys, aged 12 to 19 years, with an average intelligence (Total IQ = 85; according to DSM-IV-TR), and with a diagnosis of Autism of Conduct Disorder. Subjects need to meet criteria according to the DISC-IV computer version. This is a structured questionnaire, which has to be filled in by parents, and which aims at psychopathology according to DSM-IV-TR criteria
Are the trial subjects under 18? yes
Number of subjects for this age range:
F.1.2 Adults (18-64 years) yes
F.1.2.1 Number of subjects for this age range
F.1.3 Elderly (>=65 years) no
F.1.3.1 Number of subjects for this age range

Exclusion Criteria

Youth using medication which can influence facial expression (i.e., antipsychotics and certain antidepressants) and temporary discontinuation of medication is contraindicated (i.e., psychotic disorder, severe major depression) will be excluded.
Whether discontinuation is appropriate will be decided by mutual agreement with the subject, the psychiatrist treating the subject, and if necessary, parents of the subject. If so, discontinuation will last for at least 5 times half-life of the medication used, and will be continued the day after participation in the investigation.
Furthermore, youth with prominent comorbidity which could influence neurologic or neurocognitive functioning, such as:
• schizofrenia, psychotic disorder
• bipolar disorder
• substance abuse of dependency
• tics
• language disorder
• epilepsy