This is a 20-week open-label study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of full-spectrum medicinal cannabis plant extract \< 0.08% THC (FEN164) in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
The study population will include twenty (20) boys and girls aged eight (8) years through to seventeen (17) years that have a medical diagnosis of Level 2 and 3 Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as confirmed by the Autism Diagnostic Observational Schedule (ADOS-2) criteria. Participants will commence treatment with a daily dose of 5mg/kg of FEN164. This will gradually increase over a four-week period until the maximum tolerated daily dose or 20mg/kg per day is achieved (Up-titration phase/Stage 1). Participants will continue to receive their respective maximum dose for eight (8) weeks (Treatment phase/Stage 2) which will be gradually decreased by 5 mg/kg for a period of 4 weeks until the end of the study (Down-titration phase).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
18
Oil based. Full-spectrum medicinal cannabis plant extract with less than 0.08% THC.
Monash Children's Hospital
Clayton, Victoria, Australia
Clinical Global Impression Scale - Improvement (CGI-I)
This is a 7-point scale measuring symptom change from baseline. Where a score of 1 is very much improved and a score of 7 is very much worse.
Time frame: Baseline, Weeks 5, 9, 13 & 17
Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales, Third Edition
Used to measure adaptive functioning across three core domains (Communication, Daily Living Skills, and Socialization), and two optional domains (Motor Skills and Maladaptive Behaviour); items are rated on a 3-point scale (0=never; 1=sometimes; 2=usually or often). The core domains sum to a total Adaptive Behaviour Composite.
Time frame: Baseline, Week 17
Social Responsiveness Scale, 2nd Editions (SRS-2)
Five domains are assessed including: Social Awareness, Social Cognition, Social Communication, Social Motivation, and Restricted Interests and Repetitive Behaviour. Items are scored on a 4-point scale (ranging from 1=not true to 4=almost always true).
Time frame: Baseline, Week 17
Anxiety, Depression and Mood Scale (ADAMS)
28 symptom items that resolve into five subscales labelled: Manic/Hyperactive Behaviour, Depressed Mood, Social Avoidance, General Anxiety, and Compulsive Behaviour. Items are rated on 4-point scale ranging from 0=not a problem to 3=severe problem.
Time frame: Baseline, Week 17
Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC)
Six subscales including Disorders of Initiating and Maintaining Sleep, Sleep Breathing Disorders, Disorders of Arousal, Sleep Wake Transition Disorders, Disorders of Excessive Somnolence, and Sleep Hyperhydrosis. Items are rated on 5-point scale where 1=never and 5=always (daily). Subscale scores sum to equal a total score.
Time frame: Baseline, Weeks 5, 9, 13 & 17
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S)
Reflects clinician's impression of severity of illness on a 7-point scale ranging from 1=not at all to 7=among the most extremely ill.
Time frame: Baseline, Weeks 5, 9, 13 & 17
Autism Family Experience Questionnaire (AFEQ)
Parent/Caregiver form used to measure impact of autism interventions on family experience and quality of life. Items are rated on a 5-point scale where 1=always and 5=never.
Time frame: Baseline, Week 17
Anxiety Scale for Children - Autism Spectrum Disorder - Parent Version (ASC-ASD-P)
Parent/Caregiver form developed to detect symptoms of anxiety in youth with ASD. Composed of four subscales (Performance Anxiety, Uncertainty, Anxious Arousal, and Separation Anxiety), items are rated on a 4-point scale (0=never and 3=always). Subscales sum to equal a total score.
Time frame: Baseline, Weeks 5, 9, 13 & 17
Anxiety Scale for Children - Autism Spectrum Disorder - Child Version (ASC-ASD-C)
Child form developed to detect symptoms of anxiety in youth with ASD. Composed of four subscales (Performance Anxiety, Uncertainty, Anxious Arousal, and Separation Anxiety), items are rated on a 4-point scale (0=never and 3=always). Subscales sum to equal a total score.
Time frame: Baseline, Weeks 5, 9, 13 & 17
The Child Behaviour Checklist for Ages 6 - 18 (CBCL)
A parent/carer measure to assess patterns of behaviour. The measure is a Likert scale rated over 3 or 4 points.
Time frame: Baseline, Week 17
Caregiver Global Impression of Change in Attention (CGI-CA)
Reflects clinician's impression of change in attention on a 7-point scale ranging from 1=not at all to 7=very severe problem. Provided as Baseline and Post-Baseline questionnaires.
Time frame: Baseline, Weeks 5, 9, 13 & 17
Caregiver Global Impression of Change (CGI-C) Target Behaviour
Reflects clinician's impression of change of behaviour on a 7-point scale ranging from 1=not at all to 7=very severe problem. Provided as Baseline and Post-Baseline questionnaires.
Time frame: Baseline, Weeks 5, 9, 13 & 17