Autism Treatments – Clinical Research Trials
Autism Treatments – Clinical Research Trials
Ongoing UK Clinical Trials for Autism – research studies recruiting participants
The following is a list of research trials currently taking place in the UK and actively recruiting study participants. The studies have been designed to investigate the potential of various medications and interventions to help reduce core autism symptoms, and/or difficulties and symptoms frequently experienced by individuals affected by autism such as anxiety, irritability, impulsive, aggressive and self-harming and other challenging behaviours.
Please note that the studies are not run by Thinking Autism. We can not reply to questions about the studies, the treatments themselves, or your or your child’s eligibility to take part in the trials. If you have any questions about the trials or would like your child/ren or yourself to take part in one of the studies please contact the institutions that are running the trials via the links provided.
Please note: the list is not comprehensive. If your organisation is running a trial and recruiting participants who live in the UK please contact us to have it added to the list. In order to qualify for a listing the aims and objectives of the study need to fall under one or both of the following categories: 1. reducing core symptoms of autism 2. addressing underlying or comorbid biomedical disorders that contribute to symptoms and difficulties experienced by individuals with autism.
The list will be updated on an ongoing basis. Please make sure to come back and refresh the page from time to time, or subscribe to our mailing list to be informed of future additions.
STAR-AIMS: improving social communication skills in children with autism (LONDON & UK)
STAR-AIMS is a new clinical trial investigating if a medication called arbaclofen can help improve social difficulties in children and young people with autism.
Why is the study important?
➢ To date, no medications have been approved to support social function in autism. We want to try and change this with your help.
➢ STAR-AIMS is part of AIMS-2-Trials, the largest ever research project in autism.
➢ AIMS-2-Trials and STAR-AIMS will help increase our understanding of autism and improve outcomes and quality of life for people with autism.
Information on AIMS-2 and arbaclofen
Can you or your child take part?
You must be 5 to 17 years of age and have good verbal skills
Have a confirmed diagnosis of an autism spectrum condition (ASD)
Your parent or caregiver is willing to take part in the study with you
You can visit us at one of our UK research sites for your appointments. We will reimburse your travel expenses and offer you £50 worth of vouchers at the end of the study.
Getting involved
If you think you might be interested in taking part or would like to hear more about the study, please contact your nearest STAR-AIMS team for a chat:
London: King’s College London and SLaM: 0207 848 1520 / 0207 848 5260, STAR-AIMS-2-TRIALS@kcl.ac.uk
Newcastle: Clinical Research Facility, NUTH NHS: 0191 282 0070 (to launch here soon).
Glasgow: Queen Elizabeth University Hospital: 0141 232 7600
Safety and efficacy of cannabidiol in children and adolescents with Autism. (LONDON)
The trial will evaluate the effect of cannabidiol on core ASD symptoms and major associated symptoms/comorbidities in children and adolescents
Description of what the trial involves: The trial will be looking to evaluate the efficacy of GWP42003-P in reducing symptom severity in children with ASD. The length of participation in the study will be about 17 weeks (about 4 months). Participants would have to come in for visits 3 times during those 4 months; the rest of the visits can be done virtually.
Timeline: The trial will be recruiting until October 2022.
Age range: 6-17
Eligibility: Participants must have a confirmed diagnosis of an autism spectrum condition (ASD) and be able to visit us at our UK research site for their appointments. Parent or caregiver will need to be willing to take part in the study along with participant. Must be able to swallow the trial medication which is a liquid solution.
Location: King’s College London and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, 16 De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill Campus, London, SE5 8AF
Who to contact: GW-CBD-TRIAL@kcl.ac.uk
New Study To Evaluate Psilocybin’s Therapeutic Potential On Autistic Adults (LONDON)
A new study, led by researchers from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King’s College London will explore the potential therapeutic effects of psilocybin on autistic adults.
The study will explore how psilocybin affects specific brain pathways in autistic adults, and is the first ever mechanistic study of psilocybin in autistic adults.
It will investigate whether there is a difference in the function of serotonin brain networks in autistic and non-autistic adults. The researchers will use a range of imaging techniques and behavioural tasks to examine how the serotonin system is modulated by COMP360 psilocybin. It is an investigator-initiated exploratory study that will take place at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King’s College London. The study is co-sponsored by King’s IoPPN and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. It will enrol 70 adult participants, including 40 autistic people and 30 non-autistic people.
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