Can a tiny dose of cannabis ease autism symptoms in children?
NCT ID NCT05516407
First seen Sep 08, 2026 · Last updated Sep 09, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This trial tests whether a daily oral oil made from a full-spectrum cannabis plant extract with very low THC (FEN164) can safely help children with autism. The study will include 18 children aged 8 to 17 with moderate to severe autism (Level 2 or 3). Over 20 weeks, researchers will measure changes in overall symptoms and adaptive skills like communication and daily living. The goal is to see if this extract reduces challenging behaviors and improves quality of life.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- FEN164, a full-spectrum medicinal cannabis plant extract with less than 0.08% THC, given as an oral oil
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a new option to ease challenging symptoms of autism and improve daily living skills in children.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early-phase, small trial (18 children) with no placebo group, so results may not prove effectiveness. Possible side effects of cannabis extracts are not fully known in children.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Phase 1/2
Runs two stages together: safety and dose first, then whether the treatment works.
- Participants
-
18 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Apr 2021
- Finished
-
Aug 2026
- Lead sponsor
-
A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
8 to 17 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Participant is aged 8 years to 17 years (inclusive) * Participant is at a healthy weight at the discretion of the Principal Investigator. * Parents or caregivers can give informed consent for participation in the trial with assent from individuals with autism. * Participants can comply with trial requirements. * According the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) criteria the participant has a diagnosis of Level 2 or 3 Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) confirmed by Autism Diagnostic Observational Schedule (ADOS-2) criteria * All treatments including medications and therapies for ASD related symptoms must have been stable for 4 weeks before enrolment and for the duration of the trial wherever possible. * Participants must be able to swallow liquid. * Consent giver must be able to understand the requirements of the study. Exclusion Criteria: * Current diagnosis of bipolar disorder, psychosis, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or active major depression * Has a diagnosis other than ASD that dominates the clinical presentation (e.g., Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder \[ADHD\]) * Has a degenerative condition * Changes in anticonvulsive therapy within the last 12 weeks * Taking omeprazole, lansoprazole, tolbutamide, warfarin, sirolimus, everolimus, temsirolimus, tacrolimus, clobazam, repaglinide, pioglitazone, rosiglitazone, montelukast, bupropion, or efavirenz * Currently using or has used recreational or medicinal cannabis, cannabinoid-based medications (including Sativex®, or Epidiolex®) within the 12 weeks prior to screening and is unwilling to abstain for the duration of the trial * Participant has any known or suspected hypersensitivity to cannabinoids or any of the excipients * Participant has moderately impaired hepatic function at screening, defined as serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or aspartate aminotransferase (AST) \> 2 × upper limit of normal (ULN) or total bilirubin (TBL) \> 2 × ULN. This criterion can only be confirmed once the laboratory results are available; participants enrolled into the trial who are later found to meet this criterion must be screen-failed. * Participant is male and fertile (i.e., after puberty unless permanently sterile by bilateral orchidectomy) unless willing to ensure that they use male contraception (condom) or remain sexually abstinent during the trial and for 12 weeks thereafter. * Participant is female and with childbearing potential (i.e., following menarche and until becoming postmenopausal for ≥ 12 consecutive months unless permanently sterile by hysterectomy, bilateral salpingectomy, or bilateral oophorectomy) unless willing to ensure that they use a highly effective method of birth control (e.g., hormonal contraception, intrauterine device/hormone-releasing system, bilateral tubal occlusion, vasectomized partner, sexual abstinence) during the trial and for 12 weeks thereafter. * Female participant who is pregnant (positive pregnancy test), lactating or planning pregnancy during the course of the trial or within 12 weeks thereafter. * Participant had brain surgery or traumatic brain injury within 1 year of screening. * Participant has any other significant disease or disorder which, in the opinion of the investigator, may either put the participant, other participants, or site staff at risk because of participation in the trial, may influence the result of the trial, or may affect the participant's ability to take part in the trial. * Any abnormalities identified following a physical examination of the participant that, in the opinion of the investigator, would jeopardize the safety of the participant if they took part in the trial * Any history of suicidal behaviour (lifelong) or any suicidal ideation of type 4 or 5 on the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) in the last 4 weeks or at screening or randomization * Participant has donated blood during the past 12 weeks and is unwilling to abstain from donation of blood during the trial. * Participant has any known or suspected history of alcohol or substance abuse or positive drugs of abuse test at screening (not justified by a known concurrent medication). * Participant has previously been enrolled into this trial. * Participant has plans to travel outside their country of residence during the trial, unless the participant has confirmation that the product is permitted in the destination country/state
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Autism spectrum disorder are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Monash Children's Hospital
Clayton, Victoria, 3168, Australia
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Training the Brain's CEO: a new program aims to help kids with autism plan, organize, and stay in control
- Could a mediterranean diet ease picky eating in autism?
- Can exercising in a group boost balance in children with autism?
- Could a diet tweak ease autism symptoms? a trial puts three diets to the test
- Virtual job interviews could prepare teens with autism for the workforce
- Eye movements may reveal Autism's hidden signs