Clinical Research Directory

Sensory Habituation in Autism Spectrum Disorders

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is one of the most common developmental disabilities and often people with ASD have sensory processing disorders. These sensory processing disorders are often associated with problem behaviors and, more recently, have been connected to anxiety disorders in people with ASD. While it has been suggested that sensory processing responses in ASD could be malleable, current treatment strategies for sensory processing disorders in ASD have inconsistent results or lack large-sample sized data. This investigation will explore changes in neurophysiological activity in people with ASD and neurotypical peers after they are exposed to an unpleasant visual stimulus through a virtual reality systematic desensitization protocol. 30 people with ASD and 30 neurotypical people between the ages 7 - 35 will be recruited. The study have, 1) a practice magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) visit with questionnaires, 2) a per-exposure MRI with structural and functional MRI collections, 3) a virtual reality systematic desensitization session where we will record the participant's physiological response using an Emotibit device, and 4) a post-exposure MRI session with structural and functional MRI collections. This investigation aims to quantify changes in neurophysiological responses in order to determine the effect of systematic desensitization.

Transdiagnostic Sleep and Circadian Treatment for Autistic Adolescents

Sleep and circadian problems are associated with deleterious social, emotional, and cognitive outcomes, yet are modifiable. This prospective study will adapt and optimize an empirically supported behavioral intervention that addresses common sleep and circadian problems of autistic adolescents, who are at increased risk for mental health disorders, using a transdiagnostic approach. The knowledge gained from this study will help to address a critical need for accessible transdiagnostic sleep interventions for autistic adolescents, who experience a broad range of sleep and circadian problems at high rates and often lack access to specialty care treatment.

FOXP1 Syndrome: The Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment is Characterizing FOXP1-related Neurodevelopmental Disorders Using Genetic, Medical, and Neuropsychological Measures.

FOXP1, also known as Forkhead-box Protein P1, is a transcription factor protein belonging to the FOX gene family. Disruptions in the FOXP1 gene cause a phenotype characterized by global developmental delay, speech deficits, mild dysmorphic features, and traits of autism spectrum disorder. This study seeks to characterize FOXP1-related neurodevelopmental disorders using a number of genetic, medical and neuropsychological measures.

FMS-CrossFit Training Program (FCTP) to Improve School Readiness in Preschool Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is an increasing public health concern, with preschool children often exhibiting persistent deficits in school readiness. However, targeted and developmentally comprehensive interventions remain limited. This randomized controlled trial will evaluate a 12-week Fundamental Movement Skills-CrossFit Training Program (FCTP) in 184 children with ASD aged 3-6 years, compared with a Treatment As Usual (TAU) control group. The program integrates progressive FMS training with CrossFit-style circuit training to improve motor competence, social interaction, and self-regulation. Primary outcomes focus on school readiness assessed by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), while secondary outcomes include motor development, executive function, social responsiveness, and biomarkers. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, mid-intervention (8 weeks), post-intervention (12 weeks), and follow-up (20 weeks).

Low Intensity Focused Ultrasound in ASD

This study investigates the safety and potential efficacy of personalized, image-guided low intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) targeting the thalamus in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The study evaluates behavioral, neuroimaging, and electrophysiological outcomes following LIFU stimulation using a non-invasive device.

Reciprocal Imitation Training and Musical Rhythm Sensitivity in Autistic Toddlers

The primary goal of this study is to examine rhythm sensitivity as a predictor of response to naturalistic developmental behavioral intervention (NDBIs) in autistic toddlers. Toddlers receive either Reciprocal Imitation Training (RIT), an evidence-based NDBI that supports children's imitation and social communication skills, or a music-enhanced version of RIT. Throughout their participation in the intervention, toddlers will complete study procedures of viewing naturalistic videos of infant-directed singing and other social scenes while eye gaze data is collected.

ML-004 in Adolescents and Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)

ML-004-002 is a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled study that will enroll approximately 150 adolescent and adult subjects with ASD. The primary objective is to evaluate the efficacy of ML-004 compared with placebo in the improvement of social communication deficits in subjects with ASD.

Online Pivotal Response Treatment Training in Autism Spectrum Disorder

This is a research study that will assess the effects of a Pivotal Response Treatment Online Training Course (PRT-O) for training parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The study will specifically investigate whether participants can learn to deliver PRT effectively following participation in the Online training.

Emergent Multi-Class Imitation Training

The goals of this project are to (a) incorporate empirical findings on imitation training and learning in autistic children into a comprehensive protocol for Applied Behavior Analysis practitioners designed to rapidly facilitate generalized imitation called Emergent Multi-Class Imitation Training (EMIT), and (b) collect pilot data on the efficacy of EMIT with a small sample of autistic children. EMIT will incorporate several features that are grounded in prior research including: (a) evidence-based procedures for establishing trained matching relations (a pre-requisite to generalized imitation), (b) concurrent training of different response types (e.g., motor imitation, object imitation, vocal imitation) to address restricted generalization, (c) multiple manipulative object imitation training, (d) evidence-based procedures for remediating slow acquisition, and (e) frequent tests for the emergence of generalized imitation. EMIT will be the first protocol designed for clinical use that reflects research findings on imitation learning spanning almost five decades.

Psychoeducation for Older Adults With Autism

Until recently, autism in older adults went unrecognised. Although there has been more attention to autism in older adults in recent years, there is still a lot of unfamiliarity with the phenomenon and underdiagnosis in (mental) health care. Many care providers are reluctant to diagnose autism in later life, due to a lack of knowledge about autism in older adults and because there is still very little scientific knowledge available for this target group. Although several multidisciplinary guidelines for autism in adults prescribe that after the diagnosis psycho-education is the first step in treatment, psycho-education is still only offered in a few places in the Netherlands. Psycho-education is important to help older people gain knowledge about their autism, to help them understand and accept this diagnosis, in order to subsequently make the treatment of the problems, with which they turn to the mental health care, more appropriate and effective. The aim of this study is to contribute to better recognition and diagnosis of autism among older adults. This research also aims to improve a psycho-education program for older adults and investigate its effects. The scientific research question is whether training in ASD for health care professionals results in better recognition and detection of ASD in older adults, and whether participation in the psycho-education course for older adults, who have been diagnosed with autism, or have received a probability diagnosis ASD, contributes to improvement of mental health and quality of life.

Use of Low Doses of Interleukin-2 in Autism Spectrum Disorders

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are neurodevelopmental disorders that affect around 1% of the population. Matenral immune activation (MIA) during pregnancy is a risk factor for ASD in children (Han 2021), mediated by maternal secretion of IL-17a, which disrupts neurodevelopment (Choi 2016). MIA causes a long-lasting disruption of the Tregs/Th17 balance in offspring (decrease in anti-inflammatory Tregs/increase in pro-inflammatory Th17s) via epigenetic mechanisms (Lim 2021; Ellul 2021). In a mouse model of MIA, adoptive transfer of Tregs was able to normalise autistic behaviour, highlighting the importance of Tregs in maintaining the autistic phenotype (Xu, 2021). In this same model, we have shown that IL-2fd (i) stimulates Tregs, (ii) corrects meningeal inflammation (iii) normalises synaptic connectivity and (iv) normalises autistic behaviour in the offspring (Ellul 2025). In humans, the use of low doses of interleukin-2 (IL2-fd) (ILT-101) leads to activation and selective expansion of Tregs and a reduction in Th17 (Klatzmann 2015), including in children (Rosenzwajg 2020). We hypothesise that the use of IL2-fd (ILT-101) in ASD patients born to mothers with a history of MIA could correct the Tregs deficiency and improve autistic symptoms.

Targeting the Neurobiology of RRB in Autism Using N-acetylcysteine: Single-dose

The goal of this study is to target the neurobiology of restricted and repetitive behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorder using N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a well-tolerated nutritional supplement that has shown promise for reducing symptom severity in recent small-scale trials. The findings from this research will shed light on the mechanisms of action underlying the clinical benefits of NAC.

Targeting the Neurobiology of RRB in Autism Using N-acetylcysteine: Open Label

The goal of this study is to target the neurobiology of restricted and repetitive behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorder using N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a well-tolerated nutritional supplement that has shown promise for reducing symptom severity in recent small-scale trials. The findings from this research will shed light on the mechanisms of action underlying the clinical benefits of NAC and the effects of NAC on altering restricted and repetitive behavior symptom severity in children with autism spectrum disorder.

Targeting the Neurobiology of RRB in Autism Using N-acetylcysteine: Trial

The goal of this study is to target the neurobiology of restricted and repetitive behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorder using N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a well-tolerated nutritional supplement that has shown promise for reducing symptom severity in recent small-scale trials. The findings from this research will shed light on the mechanisms of action underlying the clinical benefits of NAC and the effects of NAC on altering restricted and repetitive behavior symptom severity in children with autism spectrum disorder. This is a 12-week double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of NAC.

Novel Adaptive Cognitive Training in Autistic Adults With Co-occurring Insomnia

The proposed study will test the usability and feasibility of a novel cognitive training (COGMUSE) for autistic adults with co-occurring insomnia (COGMUSE- AUT). Participants (n=15) will complete the cognitive training intervention for 60 minutes per day, 3 times per week for 6 weeks at home totaling to 18 hours. Weekly check-ins will be conducted by study staff over Teams to ensure adherence to the treatment and provide an opportunity for qualitative feedback on the game sessions played. During these 6 weeks, participants will fill out daily (2x/day) electronic sleep diaries and wear an actigraph device (GENEActiv). GENEActiv is a watch-like device that monitors light and movement activity.

TF-CBT for Autistic Youth Pilot Implementation - Open Pilot

Compared to the general population, autistic youth are at increased risk for both exposure to potentially traumatic events and trauma-related symptoms following trauma exposure. Autistic people identify approaches to effectively addressing trauma as a top mental health research priority, yet providers in community settings often report inadequate training in trauma treatment. The purpose of this study is to conduct an open pilot to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of an evidence-based intervention for youth affected by trauma, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), that has been modified for autistic youth served in Community Mental Health Centers.

The Effects of a Nurse-led Community-based Sailing Programme on Resilience of School-aged Children With Autism: An RCT

The goal of this randomised controlled trial is to evaluate the effect of a nurse-led community-based sailing programme on resilience of school-aged children with autism in inclusive education. Does intervention improve the resilience of participants? Does intervention improve the quality of life, self-esteem, depressive symptoms, and social functioning outcomes of participants? Researchers will compare the effect of intervention (community-based sailing programme) to the attention control group (Crafting activities) at baseline, post-intervention, and at 3-month and 9-month follow-ups. Participants will: Participants in the intervention group will participate in a nurse-led community-based sailing programme over six days, with each day consisting of 4 sessions, each lasting an hour, for a total of 24 hours. Participants in the attention control group will engage in crafting activities with minimal difficulty, focusing on maintaining attention without any emotional or reflective discussions.

PEACE for ImPACT Study

Investigators will test the impact of the PEACE implementation toolkit and determine the level of implementation support needed to improve early intervention providers use of caregiver coaching with families of young children with autism who receive early intervention services. The study will also assess caregiver and child outcomes for families receiving caregiver coaching and the cost effectiveness of the PEACE implementation toolkit. The investigators will enroll 200 early intervention providers, and 400 parent-child dyads.

Perimenstrual Symptoms and Emotional Dysregulation in Autism

Emotional dysregulation (ED) is defined by difficulties in modulating the experience and expression of emotions, which are characterized by particularly marked reactivity, intensity, and duration. To improve the understanding of ED, its consequences in autistic women, and to be able to offer them appropriate treatments, it seems crucial to investigate the links between ED, known adversities during childhood, and premenstrual dysphoric symptoms. This study aims to characterize the variability of ED throughout a menstrual cycle by measuring it in an ecological real-life context. The variability of ED will be compared to that of women with borderline personality disorder (BPD), women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), and women without a diagnosed disorder.

Prednisone in Adults With an Immune-Mediated Subtype of Autism Spectrum Disorder

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn how prednisone affects adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It will also learn about the safety of prednisone. The main questions it aims to answer are: * How does prednisone affect the core features and associated target symptoms of ASD in adults with an immune-mediated subtype of ASD? * Is prednisone safe for autistic adults without causing too many side effects? * Does this study warrant larger trials studying anti-inflammatory drugs in this subject population? Researchers will compare the drug prednisone to a placebo (a look-alike substance that contains no drug) to see how prednisone affects autistic adult males. Participants will: * Visit the clinic 2 times for a screening and baseline visit. * Take prednisone or a placebo every day for 16 weeks. * Visit the clinic 2 times for checkups, tests, questionnaires, and dose changes, and 1 time for a follow-up visit 4 weeks after stopping the study drug. * Provide blood and urine samples for testing up to 4 times. * Complete 8 remote calls every 1-2 weeks for checkups and dose changes. * Keep a diary of the dose and times they take the study drug every day and any symptoms or side effects they experience.

Explore the Impacts of Theta Burst Stimulation Over the Right Inferior Frontal Gyrus in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Combination of Clinical Symptoms, Neuropsychological Function and MRI

Exploring the therapeutic efficacy of Theta Burst Stimulation (TBS) over the right inferior frontal gyrus (RIFG) in autism, including changes in core symptoms, adaptive functioning, neuropsychological performance, and neurophysiological signals.

SPARK Exercise Program and Game-based Training in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

This randomized controlled trial (RCT) will compare the effects of the SPARK program versus game-based circuit training on motor skills and social interaction in 22 children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) aged 5-12 years. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the SPARK group (n=11) or game-based training group (n=11) at a child rehabilitation center over 10 months. Each intervention will be delivered for 12 weeks, three times per week for 30 minutes. Motor proficiency will be measured using the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test (BOT-2), and social interaction using the Autism Social Skills Profile (ASSP). After ethical approval from Riphah International University, Lahore, data will be analyzed using SPSS version 23.

ICBT for OCD in Children With Autism

The purpose of this trial is to evaluate the clinical efficacy, the cost-effectiveness and the effect durability of a therapist-guided, internet-delivered cognitive-behavior therapy intervention for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in children and adolescents with autism. A process evaluation of the treatment will also be conducted.

Effectiveness of Parent-Mediated Intervention Combined With Positive Behavioral Support on Challenging Behaviors and Parenting Stress Among Children With Autism.

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a parent-mediated intervention combined with Positive Behavioral Support (PBS) in reducing challenging behaviors among children with autism and decreasing parenting stress in South Punjab, Pakistan. By equipping parents with PBS techniques, the intervention seeks to identify and manage behavioral triggers, thereby improving child behavior and reducing caregiver strain. There is a growing need for culturally adapted intervention programs in local languages such as Urdu and Seraiki, tailored to the socio-cultural context of Pakistani families. This study addresses this gap by providing indigenous evidence on a dual-component intervention (Parent-Mediated Intervention + PBS) designed specifically for the family structure and caregiving practices in South Punjab.