Can a common antidepressant rewire autism brains? tiny study hopes to find out

NCT ID NCT06826326

ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION Knowledge-focused Sponsor: Kathryn Unruh Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This small study will give 5 teens with autism a single dose of escitalopram (Lexapro) or a placebo, then scan their brains to see how the drug affects networks linked to rigid thinking and repetitive behaviors. The goal is to understand whether this medication might help with inflexibility in autism. It is an early, exploratory trial focused on brain activity, not on treating symptoms directly.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: escitalopram (Lexapro)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a treatment for inflexible thinking and repetitive behaviors in adolescents with autism.
What could go wrong: This is a very small, early 'proof of concept' study with only 5 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. It tests only a single dose, not long-term use.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

autism spectrum disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

Contacts and locations

Locations

Hoglund Biomedical Imaging Center

Kansas City, Kansas, 66103, United States

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.