New Government Studies Explore Types and Causes of Autism; Your Family Can Help

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is launching three new major studies to explore the nature of autism and to pinpoint possible treatments. All of these studies are seeking families interested in enrolling; information about the studies and how to enroll is available at clinicaltrials.gov.

• The first trial will explore the similarities and differences between early onset autism and regressive autism. Early onset autism begins very early in life; parents often notice differences in development during a child's infancy. Regressive autism generally involves the loss of skills acquired (such as early speech) at around age two or three. Up until this point, both types of autism have been lumped under the category of "autism spectrum disorders," but there is some evidence that the two are quite different -- and may be caused by different things.
• The second trial will test the efficacy of an anti-inflammatory drug in treating regressive autism. This trial is based on the idea that inflammation of the brain is the trigger for regressive autism.
• The third trial will test the efficacy of chelation (drug therapy to remove heavy metals from the blood) in treating autism. This trial is based on the idea that thimerosal from vaccines or other heavy metals are the cause of regressive autism. (It's important to note that large-scale statistical studies seem to suggest that chelation is NOT effective -- the NIH is taking on this study to set the question to rest.)

Have you or your family participated in clinical trials in the past? If so, please share your experience -- and any hints or tips!