Could a heartburn drug help kids with autism connect better?

NCT ID NCT03866668

Recruiting now Symptom relief Sponsor: Stanford University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This pilot study tests whether esomeprazole (Nexium), a common stomach acid medication, can improve social communication in 25 children with autism aged 2 to 6. Over 12 weeks, kids take the drug daily, and researchers measure changes in social behavior using standard rating scales. Because it's a small, open-label trial without a placebo group, the results will be preliminary and need confirmation.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: Esomeprazole (Nexium), a stomach acid reducer
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a new way to ease social communication challenges in young children with autism.
What could go wrong: This is a very small, early-phase pilot with no placebo group, so results may be misleading. The drug is not proven for autism and may not work at all.

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

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for AUTISM are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

autism autism spectrum disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

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

AUTISM AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

Contacts and locations

Locations

Stanford University School of Medicine
RECRUITING

Stanford, California, 94305, United States

More trials for these conditions

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