Autism Treatment Trials
The list below is of autism clinical trials currently taking place in the US and actively recruiting participants.
Please note that the studies listed on this page are not run or organised by the BRAIN Foundation and we are unable to reply to email enquiries about clinical trials. We attempt to give as much details as possible below, but if you have any further questions please contact the study organisers directly.

ML-004 in Adolescents and Adults with ASD
LEAD INVESTIGATOR/INSTITUTION: MapLight Therapeutics
PROJECT AIMS: Phase 2 randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial to assess whether there is an impact of ML-004 compound on the core social communication deficits and on the associated features of irritability in ASD.
LOCATIONS: Various centers across US, Canada and Australia (click here for the list of locations)
AGES: 12 to 45
ADDITIONAL CRITERIA FOR INCLUSION: Age 12 to 45 at screening; Has a designated care/study partner who can reliably report on symptoms; Has a diagnosis of ASD; Full scale IQ (or equivalent) ≥70 score; Psychoactive medications and adjunctive therapies are stable for 4 weeks prior to screening; Must be able to swallow study medication
CONTACT: Contact: Kelly Amaguin +1 650-839-4388 or email kamaguin[AT]maplightrx.com

The TAPESTRY study
LEAD INVESTIGATOR/INSTITUTION: Axial Therapeutics
PROJECT AIMS: To establish if AB-2004 can improve irritability in autism. AB-2004 is a therapeutic agent designed to selectively adsorb substances produced by bacteria in the gut and reduce their ability to enter the bloodstream and contribute to irritability. This study builds upon research that has shown a significant difference in the gut bacteria in autism compared to controls, as well as the link between gut bacteria and the brain which could influence behavioral characteristics, including irritability.
LOCATIONS: United States, Australia and New Zealand
AGES: 13 to 17
ADDITIONAL CRITERIA FOR INCLUSION: irritability + GI symptoms (constipation, diarrhea, or bloating)
WEBSITE: theautismstudy.com

JelikaLite - tPBM Treatment Trial Study
LEAD INVESTIGATOR/INSTITUTION: Golisano Center for Special Needs in SUNY Upstate Medical
PROJECT AIMS: To examine the effectiveness of a novel, non-invasive, light therapy device designed to improve the language and behavior of children with ASD. A therapeutic wearable device combines non-invasive brain stimulation with infrared light.
LOCATIONS: Syracuse, NY
AGES: 2 to 8
ADDITIONAL CRITERIA FOR INCLUSION:
— Ability to attend 30-to-60-minute clinical sessions in the Golisano Center for Special Needs in SUNY Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, NY, twice a week, for 10 weeks.
— A caregiver interview and assessment of your child’s behavior at the beginning and end of the study.
— A 10-minute phone interview each week.
CONTACT: fill in this form to express interest in participation. You can also contact Dr. William Sullivan 315-464-3932, or email sullivaw(at)upstate.edu if you are interested in participating.

GEMMA (Genome, Environment, Microbiome and Metabolome in Autism)
LEAD INVESTIGATOR/INSTITUTION: Dr. Alessio Fasano, MassGeneral Hospital for Children
PROJECT AIMS: to learn more about the many factors that contribute to the development of autism. This long-term, multicenter study follows infants who are genetically at-risk of developing ASD for their first three years of life with visits that can be completed at their local pediatrician’s office. Infants can even be enrolled before birth!
LOCATIONS: US-wide
AGES: 0-6 months
INCLUSIONS/EXCLUSIONS: any infant 0-6 months of of age and that has a sibling with ASD is eligible for this study
CONTACT: mghgemma (at) mgh.harvard.edu

Proteomics study to develop biological markers for ASD
LEAD INVESTIGATOR/INSTITUTION: Dr. Laura Hewitson, The Johnson Center for Child Health and Development.
PROJECT AIMS: To develop blood-based biomarkers to help improve screening for autism risk and to identify therapeutic targets for clinical interventions. Assessments are conducted online and a blood collection kit mailed to the family that can be taken to any local blood processing center.
LOCATIONS: US-wide (excluding Alaska and Hawaii)
AGES: 18 months to 8 years of age.
ADDITIONAL CRITERIA FOR INCLUSION: Male or female children with an autism diagnosis and no severe somatic, neurological or genetic disorder.
CONTACT: Please complete this form to indicate interest.
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