Research Studies

Currently Recruiting or Active Research Studies

Please download the document below for our current recruiting studies organized by age range. 

 Study Title

Study Description

Age Range

SPARK (Simons Powering Autism Research) Study

Available in English and Spanish.

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 by contacting us at sparkstudy@stanford.edu or online at www.sparkforautism.org/stanford.

 

SPARK está trabajando para fomentar la investigación y mejorar nuestra comprensión del autismo. Stanford y más de 30 de las principales escuelas de medicina y centros de investigación del autismo del país forman parte de este esfuerzo.

  • Participar en SPARK es gratis y se puede hacer completamente desde casa.
  • Muchas de las encuestas de SPARK aportan informes personalizados.
  • Los participantes serán notificados en caso de haber otras oportunidades de investigación.
  • Los individuos con autismo podrán recibir códigos de regalo de Amazon por un valor de hasta 50 dólares (uno por familia) después de la recepción de sus muestras de saliva.

 

Para inscribirse en SPARK: https://sparkforautism.org/Stanford/ES

La inscripción suele llevar unos 20 minutos y puede empezar y parar si lo necesita. Una vez que se registre y complete unos cuestionarios en línea, le enviaremos un kit para recolectar saliva a su domicilio. Para obtener más información, envíe un correo electrónico a sparkstudy@stanford.edu

All Ages


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


Targeting the Neurobiology of Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors in Children with Autism Using N-acetylcysteine Randomized Control Trial

We are recruiting children autism to participate in a study examining the treatment effects of an over-the-counter dietary supplement on the brain.   

 

Eligibility: Children with autism spectrum disorder who -

·    are aged between 3 and 12 years old

·    exhibit restricted and repetitive behaviors

·    will drink N-acetyl cysteine dissolved in water

·    will undergo brain scanning (asleep or awake) with magnetic resonance  imaging (MRI)

·    will undergo brain scanning with electroencephalography (EEG)

The study will take place over 3 to 6 visits (some remotely over Zoom) and the approximate time required is about 10 to 12 hours. Individuals that are able to complete both of the MRI/EEG sessions will be compensated $50.

You can find more information about our NAC studies at https://redcap.link/NACforAutism.

If you have any questions please call 650-736-1235 or email: autismresearch@stanford.edu.

3 to 12 years


Autism Center of Excellence Sleep Study

Dear Parents,

We are excited to tell you about a new research study for children. We are looking to partner with parents who have children that are between the ages of 4 and 17 years old, with and without an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis.

What is involved?

  • In-person cognitive and behavioral assessments
  • Day-time Electroencephalogram (EEG)
  • In-home, 2 night sleep monitoring session
  • Collection of saliva to measure cortisol and melatonin levels
  • Wearing a watch device that tracks sleep and daily activity

 

What will I receive if I participate?

  • Research sleep report and behavioral testing summary upon request
  • $50 for each in-person visit to Stanford and $100 for the 2 night in-home sleep assessment

          

Treatment extension study:

  • If your child has ASD, sleep difficulties, and ages 8-17, they may also qualify for sleep medication trials

 

Interested in participating or want to learn more?  Click Here!

If you would like to reach out to our team directly with any questions, please contact our team below!

Email: ACESleepStudy@stanford.edu

650-498-7215

 

4 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.

Link to study in Stanford's Clinical Trials Directory

14 to 25 years


Trial of Center-Based vs. In-Home Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) in Autism (PRT-HvC)

Do you have a child (2-5 years old) with autism and want an intensive center-based or in-home intervention?

Stanford University researchers are recruiting children with autism and their parents to participate in a study examining the effectiveness of a center-based vs. in-home Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) program in targeting social communication abilities in young children with autism.

Participants must:

  • Be diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Be between the ages of 2 years and 5 years 11 months
  • Be able to attend 3-hour research treatment sessions 4 days per week and participate in parent training

 

Based on behavioral screening assessments, children who are eligible will be randomly assigned to either center-based intervention, in-home intervention, or treatment as usual. Those assigned to the treatment-as-usual group will receive treatment after the 16–week period is completed.

Call 650-736-1235 or email autismdd@stanford.edu to learn more.

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04899544 

 

2 to 5 years


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

Note: Participants must live at least 200 miles away from Stanford University (i.e., this study is geared towards out-of-state families or families living at a distance)

2 to 5 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 and 3 years,11 months


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 18 months or older are eligible to participate if they have been diagnosed with PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome. 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.

Study Webpage    

18 months and older


Active Studies, not Recruiting

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


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.

 

Link to study at clinicaltrials.gov

6 to 17 years