Research Studies
Currently Recruiting or Active Research Studies
Study Title
Study Description
Age Range
SPARK (Simons Powering Autism Research) Study
If you or your child has a professional diagnosis of autism, Stanford University invites you to learn more about SPARK, a new online research study sponsored by the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative. The mission of SPARK is clear: speed up research and advance understanding of autism by creating the nation’s largest autism study. Joining SPARK is simple – register online and provide a DNA sample via a saliva collection kit in the comfort of your own home. Together, we can help spark a better future for all individuals and families affected by autism.
Register in person at Stanford University by contacting us at sparkstudy@stanford.edu or online at www.sparkforautism.org/stanford.
All Ages
Improving Access to Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) via Telehealth Parent Training
There is an urgent need for improved access to effective autism treatments. With advances in technology, distance learning models have particular promise for families who cannot access evidence-based parent training locally or may be on long wait-lists for behavioral treatments. Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) is an established treatment for autism spectrum disorder (ASD); however, a telehealth PRT model has not yet been evaluated in a controlled trial. This study will examine the effects of training parents in PRT via secure video conferencing and investigate 1) whether parents can learn via telehealth to deliver PRT in the home setting (PRT-T) and 2) whether their children will show greater improvement in functional communication skills compared to children in a waitlist control group. Participants will include 40 children age 2 to 5 years with ASD and significant language delay. Eligible children will be randomly assigned to either PRT-T or waiting list. Weekly 60-minute parent training sessions will be delivered for 12 weeks via secure video conferencing software by a PRT-trained study therapist. Link: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04042337
2 to 5 years
Multi-Site Validation Study of Eye Tracking-Based Measure if Autism Symptom Severity
Help us test fun and quick tools for assessing eye gaze!
For your time, you will receive $60 - $120!
If this tool works it can:
- Make early diagnosis of autism easier
- Reduce wait times for diagnosis
- Increase access to early intervention
You are eligible to take part if:
- Your child is between 2 and 17 years old
- Your child will or has been seen at Stanford University for a question of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or another concern about their development
The study will involve:
- Filling out some questionnaires about your child
- Your child will experience a fun, quick, and child-friendly eye gaze activity that will involve looking at some pictures on a screen
- Your child may complete some measures on their development and behavior
- You and your child may be asked to participate in 2 follow-up visits 2 weeks and 16 weeks later
For more information, please call (650) 736-1235 or email autismdd@stanford.edu to discuss the study in more detail.
2 to 17 years
An Open-Label Pilot Study of Esomeprazole in Children with Autism
Researchers at Stanford University are currently examining the effectiveness of esomeprazole in improving social communication deficits in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Esomeprazole is currently FDA-approved for children ages 1 and up for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and has been identified as a potential treatment for improving social communication in children with ASD. Children with ASD ages 2 through 6 years are invited to participate. The child must be willing to take esomeprazole orally for at least 8 weeks, complete diagnostic and behavioral assessments, and be free of serious medical problems. There is also an optional research blood draw. The study will require visits to Stanford University and the parent/caregiver will be required to complete questionnaires for each visit.
For more information, please go to https://is.gd/ASDstudy, call (650) 736-1235, or email autismdd@stanford.edu.
2 to 6 years
A Center Based Randomized Controlled Trial of Pivotal Response Treatment for Preschoolers With Autism
Researchers at Stanford University are currently recruiting children with autism and their parents to participate in a study examining the effectiveness of a center-based Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) program in targeting social communication abilities in young children with autism. We are currently recruiting children diagnosed with ASD and social communication deficits, aged 2:0 to 3:11 years. Children who are eligible based on behavioral screening assessments will be randomly assigned to either an immediate treatment (PRT) group or a delayed treatment group (DTG). If randomized into the PRT group, the 12-week treatment will consist of a combination of one weekly 60-minute individual parent training session and 12 weekly hours (approximately 3 hours per day for 4 days per week) with your child in a center-based group preschool environment at Stanford University. If randomized into the delayed treatment group, the children will wait 12 weeks to receive the PRT treatment and continue any treatment they are receiving as usual in the community. The cost of clinic-based services varies based on individual family health insurance plans.
For more information, please call (650) 736-1235 or email autismdd@stanford.edu to discuss the study in more detail.
2 to 3 years, 11 months
Effectiveness of a Developmental Reciprocity Treatment Program in Autism
This is a research study examining the effectiveness of a Developmental Reciprocity Treatment Program in treating social deficits in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Developmental Reciprocity Treatment is an early intervention that applies developmentally-informed teaching methods in naturalistic settings in order to target social and communication deficits.
Researchers have begun to develop strategies to investigate the effectiveness of combining a parent training program teaching parents how to implement Developmental Reciprocity Treatment with in-home, therapist-implemented treatment. To determine the effectiveness of theDevelopmental Reciprocity Treatment Program, it will be compared to a delayed treatment group by conducting a randomized controlled 24-week trial. This research will allow us to help in the development of therapeutic approaches that can meet the increasing service demands for families. We hope that investigating interventions that aim to improve core deficits will aid in providing better care for children with autism.
2 to 5 years
Language Treatment Trial for Children with Autism
Researchers at Stanford University are currently recruiting children with autism spectrum disorder to identify MRI-based markers of response to treatment with Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) targeting language abilities. Children with autism spectrum disorder between the ages of 2 and 4 years 11 months are invited to participate. This study involves up to a 5 month time commitment. The participant must be willing to complete cognitive and behavioral assessments (such as IQ and language testing) and be able to either sleep (young children) or lie still in the scanner during an MRI. After a successful MRI, the participant will be randomized into the PRT trial or DTG (Delayed Treatment Group). PRT will consist of 16 weekly, 60-90 minute sessions of parent training in PRT over a 16 week time period. DTG will consist of your child’s treatments as usual in the community and measurements and questionnaires will need to be filled out on three study visits over the course of the 16 weeks. After completion of the DTG, the participant will be offered PRT parent training sessions similar to the PRT group. There is no cost to participate in the study. If you would like to participate or if you have any questions please call (650) 736-1235 or email: autismdd@stanford.edu to discuss the study in more detail.
2 and 4 years,11 months
Vasopressin Treatment Trial for Children with Autism
Vasopressin Treatment Trial for Children with Autism
The purpose of this clinical trial is to investigate the effectiveness of vasopressin nasal spray for treating symptoms associated with autism. Vasopressin is a hormone that is produced naturally within the body and has been implicated in regulating social behaviors. It has been proposed that administration of the hormone may also help improve social functioning in individuals with autism.
6 to 17 years
Pregnenolone Randomized Controlled Trial
Neurosteroid Pregnenolone Treatment for Irritability in Adolescents with Autism
Medication treatments for core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) continue to be unmet medical needs. The only medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of individuals with ASD are effective in treating irritability and associated aggressive behaviors, but these medications can also cause severe long-term side effects such as diabetes and involuntary motor movements. Therefore, effective medications with more tolerable side effect profiles are highly desirable. This profile is consistent with pregnenolone (PREG). PREG belongs to a new class of hormones known as neurosteroids, which have been shown to be effective in treating various psychiatric conditions including bipolar depression and schizophrenia. As compared to currently FDA-approved medications, our preliminary data suggested that PREG may represent a potentially effective and well-tolerated agent for treating irritability in individuals with ASD. In addition, our experience suggests that PREG might be helpful in improving selected core symptoms such as social deficits and sensory abnormalities of ASD. This study provides the opportunity to further explore the usefulness of PREG in the treatment of irritability and some core symptoms of ASD. We are performing a 12-week randomized double-blind controlled pilot trial to examine the effectiveness of orally administered PREG in reducing irritability and associated behaviors in adolescents with ASD. In this study, we also aim to examine the usefulness of biomarkers (blood levels of neurosteroids, eyetracking and brain wave recording) in predicting treatment response and assessing biologic changes with PREG treatment.
14 to 25 years
Parent Training to Enhance Social Success for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit characteristic deficits in social initiation and there are few empirically validated treatments specifically for this core deficit. While parent training is known to be a critical intervention component, few social skills programs involve parents. This study will capitalize on an existing social skills group already established at the community agency Abilities United, with the goal of enhancing the program’s effectiveness by adding a parent component. Specifically, the proposed study will investigate whether a novel parent-mediated social skills program (Social SUCCESS), which provides parent training in conjunction with a social skills group intervention, will result in more frequent initiations during play with typically developing peers. We are currently recruiting verbal children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, aged 4:0 to 6:11 years, who have average to above average cognitive ability. Children will be randomly assigned to either Social SUCCESS or waiting list. Treatment will be provided for 12 weeks and include participation in a social skills group and a separate parent training group. The study will evaluate the effects of Social SUCCESS on areas of core social deficit including frequency of peer initiations using parent ratings, observational
measures, standardized questionnaires, and a social eyetracking task. Outcomes will be compared to a waiting list control group. Findings will aid clinicians in providing more effective social skills treatment for children with ASD and enhance the scientific knowledge-base related to evidence-based social skills treatments
4 to 6 years
Active Studies, not Recruiting
Multi-Modal Neuroimaging of the Cerebellum in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Stanford University researchers are currently recruiting children and adolescents with autism (i.e. typically developing) to participate in a research study. The study compares individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder to typically developing individuals so we can better understand the causes of autism.
2 to 21 years
Clinical Trial of Everolimus in Children and Adolescents with PTEN Mutations
Phosphatase and TENsin homolog (PTEN) gene mutations (mistakes in the gene) are associated with neurocognitive deficits, intellectual disability, autism symptoms, skin lesions, macrocephaly (large head size), overgrowth of tissues, and an increased risk of cancers. Investigators are conducting research to evaluate the potential safety and efficacy (effectiveness) of the drug, RAD001 (everolimus), in patients with PTEN Hamartoma Tumor Syndrome, and the potential neurocognitive benefits from treatment with RAD001 or placebo for a six month period. The investigators hope this trial will lead to a better understanding of PTEN and to new forms of treatment that may benefit children and adults with PTEN in the future.
5 to 45 years
oRBiting Study
oRBiting Study
We know that no two people with autism are the same. And of course we wouldn’t want them to be. But people with autism often have behaviors that they repeat, known as repetitive and restricted behaviors, or RRBs. So we are conducting the oRBiting study to better understand the different scales that have been developed to measure RRBs in autism, and to explore the use of wearable technologies for gaining important insights into daily behaviors.
oRBiting is a non-drug observational study which we hope will help to inform later studies as to whether investigational drugs could make life with autism a little easier. We’re looking for children and adults with autism to join the oRBiting study who are aged 5–45 years and have someone they see and speak to regularly who can be their study partner and accompany them to all clinic visits (for example, a parent or close friend).
For more information, please contact Rachel Schuck at 650-736-1235 or autismdd@stanford.edu
5 to 45 years
Natural History Study of Individuals with Autism and Germline Heterozygous PTEN Mutations
The goal of this study is to gain a better understanding of PTEN mutation syndromes to identify early markers and ultimately effective interventions for autism spectrum disorder. Individuals between the ages of 3 and 21 years are eligible to participate if they have been diagnosed with PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome or autism spectrum disorder with macrocephaly. The study involves five visits over a two year period. Three of the visits occur on-site at a study location. The other two visits occur as phone calls. The on-site visits include a blood draw, physical/neurological exams and behavioral testing.
3 to 21 years
Analysis of the Glutathione Cycle in Children with Autism
Stanford University researchers are recruiting children with autism to participate in a research study to examine the levels of certain biomarkers (antioxidant) in children with autism in an effort to better understand autism spectrum disorder and help develop future treatments.
4 to 12 years
Pivotal Response Treatment Package for Young Children with Autism
This is a research study examining the effectiveness of pivotal response treatment in targeting language skills in young children with autism.
1.5 to 5 years
Social Motivation Intervention for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Improving Initiations to Peers
4 to 6 years