HMCH Behavioral Health Experts Offering Autism, ADHD Clinical Trials

Hackensack Meridian Children’s Health pediatric behavioral health experts are participating in two clinical trials studying promising new treatment options for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Stacy Doumas, M.D., MBA, Chair of Psychiatry, Southern Region, Hackensack Meridian Health, and Chair, Department of Psychiatry, Jersey Shore University Medical Center, is serving as the principal investigator for both trials.

The team recently completed another clinical trial studying a medication for the treatment of core symptoms of ASD in adolescents. The goal of the study was to understand how the medication impacts social communication deficits, mood-related symptoms, self-regulation and challenging behaviors often associated with ASD.

The team will soon be opening a clinical trial studying a nonstimulant medication for preschool-aged children (4-6 years old) with ADHD.

“There are currently no approved medications to treat the core symptoms of ASD, and there are few medications to treat children younger than age six with ADHD,” said Dr. Doumas. “Our team is engaged in cutting edge research to bring promising treatment options to children and families where few treatment options currently exist.”

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