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Sulforaphane as an adjunctive treatment for irritability in children with autism spectrum disorder: A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trial
Author(s) -
Momtazmanesh Sara,
AmirimoghaddamYazdi Zeinab,
Moghaddam Hossein Sanjari,
Mohammadi Mohammad Reza,
Akhondzadeh Shahin
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
psychiatry and clinical neurosciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.609
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1440-1819
pISSN - 1323-1316
DOI - 10.1111/pcn.13016
Subject(s) - irritability , risperidone , placebo , lethargy , sulforaphane , autism spectrum disorder , randomized controlled trial , medicine , adverse effect , autism , adjunctive treatment , placebo controlled study , clinical trial , psychology , psychiatry , double blind , schizophrenia (object oriented programming) , anxiety , alternative medicine , pathology , cancer research
Aim Irritability related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) complicates the management of ASD patients at home and in clinical settings. In this randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trial, we aimed to investigate the beneficial effects of adjuvant treatment with risperidone and sulforaphane in alleviating the irritability of children with ASD. Methods Sixty drug‐free patients aged 4–12 years were randomly assigned to one of two groups receiving risperidone plus sulforaphane or placebo. Risperidone was started with a daily dose of 0.25 mg in patients weighing <20 kg and 0.5 mg in those weighing ≥20 kg and increased stepwise to reach a maximum of 1 mg (<20 kg), 2.5 mg (20–45 kg), and 3.5 mg (>45 kg). Sulforaphane was administered at a daily dose of 50 μmol (≤45 kg) or 100 μmol (>45 kg). The participants were assessed with the Aberrant Behavior Checklist – Community Edition at baseline and at Weeks 5 and 10. Results Compared to the placebo group, ASD patients in the sulforaphane group showed greater improvements in Irritability score (primary outcome measure; P = 0.001) and Hyperactivity/Noncompliance score (secondary outcome measure; P = 0.015), and significant Time × Treatment effect for Irritability ( P = 0.007) and Hyperactivity/Noncompliance ( P = 0.008). However, no difference was seen in improvements in the other secondary measures: Lethargy/Social Interaction score, Stereotypic Behavior score, Inappropriate Speech score, and frequency of adverse events. Conclusion Our results support the safety and efficacy of sulforaphane as an adjuvant to risperidone for improvement of irritability and hyperactivity symptoms in children with ASD.