The purpose of this study is to determine if lenalidomide (Revlimid®)reduces proinflammatory cytokines including TNF-alpha and may actually alter the clinical course of autism for some children.
Autism currently affects 1:142 births and has no definite cause. Recent research has shown possible identifying markers in neuroglial inflammation with elevated cytokines IL-1, Il-6, and MCP-1 and elevated ratios of CSF/serum levels of TNF-alpha in patients with regressive autism. Lenalidomide (Revlimid®) is an analogue of thalidomide. Based on the improved clinical efficacy predicted for Revlimid® in its effects on TNF-alpha and other immunomodulatory cytokines, this oral compound may prove efficacious with less toxicity compared with thalidomide. The study will evaluate the efficacy of lenalidomide by measurement of changes in EEG, clinical global impression, Childhood Autism Rating Scale, and serum and CSF (if available) TNF-alpha at the end of the study compared with the same measurements at baseline.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
6
2.5 mgs per day orally for 12 weeks
Change in TNF-alpha Levels
Change in CSF-TNF-α from baseline to 12 weeks.
Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks
Change in Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS)Value From Baseline to 6 Weeks
Change in CARS value from baseline to 6 weeks. Total CARS scores range from a fifteen to 60, with a minimum score of thirty serving as the cutoff for a diagnosis of autism on the mild end of the autism spectrum.
Time frame: Baseline and 6 weeks
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