Could a heartburn drug help kids with autism connect better?
NCT ID NCT03866668
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.
Disclaimer
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This is a summary of
the original study
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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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Study contacts
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Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
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Stanford University School of Medicine
RECRUITINGStanford, California, 94305, United States
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••