FMRI Brain Activation of Aripiprazole Treatment in Autism Spectrum Disorders

Inclusion Criteria

• male or female of any race or ethnicity
• ambulatory status (outpatient) at time of consent
• age 10-55 inclusive at time of consent
• clinical diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and meets screening criteria on the Social Communication Questionnaire as well as either the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) or the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) administered by raters trained to research reliability.
• estimated IQ greater than 70 and capable of making an informed decision based on assessment of their understanding and judgment
• Children's Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale: Modified for Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD-CYBOCS) > 8 as assessed during telephone screening.
• Free of psychoactive medication for at least: one month for fluoxetine; two weeks for other SSRIs and neuroleptics; and five days for stimulants prior to MRI scanning [excepting stable doses (greater than three months duration) of anticonvulsant medication for seizure disorder]
• Currently taking psychoactive medication that is not providing sufficient relief of repetitive behaviors and willing to discontinue all psychoactive medication for the duration of the study.
• Judged reliable for medication compliance and agreeing to keep follow-up study appointments.

Exclusion Criteria

• Age less than 10 years or greater than 55 years at time of consent
• Estimated IQ less than 70
• Uncontrolled epilepsy (seizure within 6 months prior to consent)
• Presence of medical conditions that might interfere with participation, or where participation would be contraindicated.
• History of neurological injury: head trauma, poorly-controlled seizure disorder (seizure within the preceding six months), stroke, prior neurosurgery, or under the care of a neurologist or neurosurgeon as determined by interview
• History of claustrophobia
• Implanted or irremovable metal in the body (including certain tattoos and permanent make-up).
• Current pregnancy in females
• Inability to communicate satisfactorily and directly (without a translator) in English
• Medical contraindications to aripiprazole therapy as determined by history (including induction of neuroleptic malignant syndrome, dystonic reaction, or known drug allergy)
• Ongoing need for psychoactive medication other than study medication [excepting stable doses (greater than 3 months duration) of anticonvulsant medication for seizure disorder or diphenhydramine for sleep
• prior history of aripiprazole treatment failure at appropriate doses and duration
• clinically significant low white blood cell count at baseline