Could a steroid ease autism symptoms? small trial aims to find out

NCT ID NCT06934915

First seen Nov 01, 2025 · Last updated Jun 23, 2026 · Updated 25 times

Summary

This early-phase trial tests whether the steroid prednisone can improve core autism symptoms in 32 adult males with an immune-mediated subtype of autism. Participants take prednisone or a placebo daily for 16 weeks, with regular check-ins and questionnaires. The goal is to see if the drug is safe and worth testing in larger studies.

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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.

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Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • MGH Lurie Center for Autism

    Lexington, Massachusetts, 02421, United States

    Contact

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

What this could mean

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

Active substance

prednisone

What this could lead to

If it works, this could point toward a treatment for core autism symptoms in a specific immune-related subtype.

What could go wrong

This is a very early, small trial with only 32 participants. Prednisone has known side effects, and the results may not apply to all people with autism.

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

autism Autism Spectrum Disorder autoimmune disease Inflammation Neuroinflammatory Diseases

As listed by the trial registrant

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