Can a common antidepressant rewire autism brains? tiny study hopes to find out
NCT ID NCT06826326
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.
Disclaimer
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This is a summary of
the original study
.
Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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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
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Locations
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Hoglund Biomedical Imaging Center
Kansas City, Kansas, 66103, United States