AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

This early-phase study tests a new treatment called VGN-Ex05e for children with autism who have severe, treatment-resistant self-injury or aggression. Six participants aged 7 to 18 will receive a single injection into a brain area linked to reward and behavior. The main goal is t…

This study tests a brain implant called deep brain stimulation (DBS) in 6 adults with severe aggression from autism or schizophrenia who haven't improved with standard care. The implant targets a brain area called the Sano triangle to try to control aggressive outbursts. The goal…

This study tests a low-dose immune treatment (ILT-101) in 22 children aged 6 to 8 with moderate to severe autism. The children's mothers had an immune condition during pregnancy. The goal is to see if the drug can boost certain immune cells (Tregs) and improve social and behavior…

This study will test if an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered electric toothbrush, paired with picture-based teaching materials, can improve oral hygiene in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Fifty children aged 5 to 13 will be randomly assigned to use either a manua…

This study looks at whether training primary care clinicians to diagnose autism in children aged 18-36 months can shorten the time from a positive screening to a final diagnosis. About 300 children will take part across multiple clinics. The goal is to see if this approach leads …

This study explores whether eye-tracking technology can help screen for autism in children aged 4 to 10. Researchers will compare how children with and without autism look at faces and social scenes. The goal is to create a simpler, language-free diagnostic tool that works even f…

This study will test a machine-assisted system that uses five simple social games to help identify autism in toddlers aged 1.5 to 2.5 years. Researchers will compare the system's results with standard clinical diagnoses in 1,000 children across China. The goal is to see if this t…

This study will test a behavioral program to improve sleep and daily rhythms in autistic adults aged 18-65 who have sleep problems. The goal is to see if the treatment can improve overall sleep health and be easy to use. About 24 participants will take part, and the findings may …

This study tests a short, guided self-help program based on compassion-focused therapy for parents of autistic children aged 6-17. The program includes a workbook, audio tracks, and weekly support calls over about 13 weeks. The goal is to see if it helps reduce parental stress an…

This study tests a treatment called FBET to reduce elopement (wandering away) in children aged 4–12 with autism. About 50 children will receive 12 therapy sessions over 20 weeks, either with FBET or standard care. The goal is to see if FBET is practical in community clinics and w…

This early-stage trial tests whether a 6-week course of vancomycin followed by a fecal transplant from a family member can improve social and language difficulties in adults with autism. Ten participants with gastrointestinal symptoms will be monitored for changes in autism sympt…

This study will test a new program for children aged 5-8 with autism spectrum disorder that combines a digital app with online coaching for parents. The goal is to help children improve executive function skills like self-control, memory, and attention. Forty children and their c…

This study tests whether buspirone, a medication used for anxiety, can safely reduce anxiety symptoms in autistic youth aged 7 to 17. Researchers will measure changes in anxiety severity over 16 weeks. The goal is to see if this drug is a good treatment option for this group.

This study tests whether a special app can help children and teens with autism (ages 8-17) brush their teeth better. About 270 participants will use either the autism-friendly app or a basic app for 3 months. Researchers will check if the app improves brushing coverage, duration,…

This study tests whether a full-spectrum cannabis plant extract called NTI164 can reduce core autism symptoms like social difficulties and repetitive behaviors. About 98 children and young adults aged 6 to 25 with moderate to severe autism will receive either NTI164 or a placebo …

This early-stage study tests whether a non-invasive ultrasound technique, called low intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU), can safely improve social and brain function in 20 people aged 13–25 with autism. Participants receive personalized, image-guided ultrasound pulses to a deep …

This early-stage study tests whether prednisone, an anti-inflammatory drug, can improve core autism symptoms in 32 adult males with an immune-related subtype of autism. Participants take prednisone or a placebo daily for 16 weeks, with clinic visits and remote check-ins. The goal…

This study tests a mobile app called "Heart Voice: Starry Journey" designed to help parents and caregivers of children with autism feel more flexible and less stressed. About 52 caregivers will either use the app for 6 weeks or continue their usual routine. The goal is to see if …

This study tests two ways of delivering a group training program for caregivers of children with autism in low-resource areas. The goal is to reduce caregiver stress and improve the child's communication and behavior. About 320 caregivers of children aged 2 to 8 will take part. T…

This study will test whether a noninvasive brain stimulation device called NeuroCytotron can safely improve core autism symptoms like social communication and repetitive behaviors in children aged 3 to 12. About 256 children with mild-to-moderate autism who use some spoken langua…

This study tests an online course in Spanish that teaches parents of young children with autism how to use Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) to support their child's language and social skills. About 40 Spanish-speaking families with children aged 2 to 5 will take lessons over 12 …

This study is testing a program called PEERS® to help Italian teenagers with autism (ages 10-14) improve their social skills and make friends. The program involves group sessions for teens, plus training for parents and teachers. Researchers want to see if it works and find brain…

This study tests whether transplanting healthy gut bacteria (fecal microbiota transplantation, or FMT) can reduce stomach problems like constipation and belly pain in children with autism. Twenty children aged 6 to 12 will receive either FMT capsules or a placebo after a bowel cl…

This study tests a rhythmic auditory training program designed to help children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) improve their language skills. Twenty-four children aged 3 to 6 with a language delay will practice reproducing the syllable rhythms of speech. Researchers will mea…

This early-stage study tests whether a single intravenous injection of stem cells from bone marrow is safe for people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It will also look for early signs that the treatment might improve behavior and social skills. The study involves 42 particip…

This study tests a personalized program for mothers who care for a child with autism. The program helps them manage stress, find time for meaningful activities, and build healthy habits. Researchers will measure if it improves their wellbeing and reduces caregiver burden over 6 m…

This study tests a computer-based training program called action-based cognitive remediation (ABCR) to see if it can improve thinking, social, and work skills in people with various psychiatric conditions like depression, schizophrenia, and PTSD. 160 participants will first wait …

This study tests a visual safety plan designed for autistic teenagers aged 13-18 who have had recent suicidal thoughts or self-harm. About 90 participants will either get the visual plan plus standard care or standard care alone. Researchers will check if the plan is easy to use,…

This study will test a new computer-based training program designed to help autistic children ages 8-11 improve their thinking and problem-solving skills. The goal is to see if this training can reduce repetitive behaviors and improve daily functioning. 95 children will be random…

This study tests an online program that helps caregivers of children with autism (ages 7-12) prepare to tell their child about the diagnosis. The program aims to reduce caregiver stress, improve parenting confidence, and lessen feelings of stigma. About 40 caregivers in South Kor…

This study looks at how people with mild intellectual disability process emotions compared to those with autism and typically developing individuals. It also tests a 24-week therapy program designed to improve emotion regulation. The goal is to better understand these differences…

This study looks at how emotions change throughout the menstrual cycle in autistic women. Researchers will compare them to women with borderline personality disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and those without any diagnosed condition. The goal is to better understand emot…

This study tests a job interview training program (KF-STRIDE 3.0) for 30 adults with autism. Participants will do a mock job interview and fill out surveys to see if the training helps improve interview skills and work readiness. The goal is to gather information for a larger fut…

This study looks at how a single dose of MDMA (the active ingredient in ecstasy) changes oxytocin levels in the blood of 40 adults—half with autism spectrum disorder and half without. The goal is not to treat autism but to understand if the brain's oxytocin system works different…

This study tests a language intervention for 60 infants (6-12 months old) who have an older sibling with autism, putting them at higher risk for autism or language delays. The approach encourages babies to look at their caregiver's mouth during play, aiming to boost communication…

This study looks at how children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) perceive time and pay attention. Researchers will use eye-tracking to compare 3- and 5-year-olds with ASD to typically developing children. The goal is to understand if kids with autism process visual informatio…