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Data repositories, particularly those storing data on vulnerable populations, increasingly need to carefully consider not only what data is being collected, but how it will be used. As such, the Autism Intervention Research Network on Physical Health (AIR-P) has created the Infrastructure for Collaborative Research (ICR) to establish standards on data collection practices in Autism repositories. The ICR will strive to encourage inter-site collaboration, amplify autistic voices, and widen accessibility to data. The ICR is staged as a three-tiered framework consisting of (1) a request for proposals system, (2) a REDCap-based data repository, and (3) public data dashboards to display aggregate de-identified data. Coupled with a review process including autistic and non-autistic researchers, this framework aims to propel the implementation of equitable autism research, enhance standardization within and between studies, and boost transparency and dissemination of findings. In addition, the inclusion of a contact registry that study participants can opt into creates the base for a robust participant pool. As such, researchers can leverage the platform to identify, reach, and distribute electronic materials to a greater proportion of potential participants who likely fall within their eligibility criteria. By incorporating practices that promote effective communication between researchers and participants, the ICR can facilitate research that is both considerate of and a benefit to autistic people., (© 2024 The Author(s). Autism Research published by International Society for Autism Research and Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Objective: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors like sertraline have been shown in observational studies and anecdotal reports to improve language development in young children with fragile X syndrome (FXS). A previous controlled trial of sertraline in young children with FXS found significant improvement in expressive language development as measured by the Mullen Scales of Early Learning (MSEL) among those with comorbid autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in post hoc analysis, prompting the authors to probe whether sertraline is also indicated in nonsyndromic ASD. Methods: The authors evaluated the efficacy of 6 months of treatment with low-dose sertraline in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 58 children with ASD aged 24 to 72 months. Results: 179 subjects were screened for eligibility, and 58 were randomized to sertraline (32) or placebo (26). Eight subjects from the sertraline arm and five from the placebo arm discontinued. Intent-to-treat analysis showed no significant difference from placebo on the primary outcomes (MSEL expressive language raw score and age equivalent combined score) or secondary outcomes. Sertraline was well tolerated, with no difference in side effects between sertraline and placebo groups. No serious adverse events possibly related to study treatment occurred. Conclusion: This randomized controlled trial of sertraline treatment showed no benefit with respect to primary or secondary outcome measures. For the 6-month period, treatment in young children with ASD appears safe, although the long-term side effects of low-dose sertraline in early childhood are unknown. Clinical Trial Registration: www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT02385799., (Copyright © 2019 Potter, Scholze, Biag, Schneider, Chen, Nguyen, Rajaratnam, Rivera, Dwyer, Tassone, Al Olaby, Choudhary, Salcedo-Arellano and Hagerman.)

Coroners' files have been examined to ascertain the numbers of deaths involving self-poisoning with analgesic drugs with specific reference to the paracetamol/dextropropoxyphene combination. The period of study was 1976-1980. This report concentrates on cases in England, although reference is made to similar deaths occurring in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Data have been collected extensively on a wide range of issues concerning fatal self-poisonings mainly by visiting coroners' offices in England to make direct investigation of records. The total number of cases where the paracetamol/dextropropoxyphene combination can be considered as ingested in the self-poisoning episode is underestimated. The number of cases involving alcohol and/or other drugs taken together with the combination product is particularly underestimated. Involvement of people aged 30 years and below comprises 32% of all cases. 'Gesture' overdoses comprise an estimated 14% of all cases in England. An analysis of fatalities from cases where quantities in post-mortem blood of dextropropoxyphene less than 1 microgram/ml and paracetamol less than 50 micrograms/ml are found and of cases where death occurs within 2 h of ingestion of the overdose has been carried out. The results are inconclusive. In most cases alcohol and/or other drugs are found to be involved. Critical inspection of coroners' files shows relatively few of these cases where the combination product is ingested on its own. There is wide variability in the data available in coroners' files. In many cases data of value to this research are not recorded. Medical history and quantitative levels of drugs suspected (particularly dextropropoxyphene) are particular examples of factors which may not be recorded. Office of Population, Censuses and Surveys (OPCS) mortality data are based on certified causes of death. Because of the underestimate of the involvement of this combination product and the under-reporting of other drug and/or alcohol ingestion with the combination, care must be exercised in quoting or drawing conclusions from OPCS statistics.