Clinical trial No longer in our active list Phase 2 Interventional Ages 12 to 45

Evaluating ML-004 for improving social communication in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Official title: A Randomized, Double-blind, Parallel Group, Placebo-controlled Study to Investigate the Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of ML-004 in Adolescents and Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).

Run by MapLight Therapeutics · NCT05081245 · Data updated 2026-05-14

This study is no longer in our active list. It may have stopped recruiting or finished. The details below are as of 2026-05-14 and are kept for reference. Check ClinicalTrials.gov for its current status, or see similar studies below.

This study is testing if a new treatment called ML-004 can help improve social communication skills in teens and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 2
Study typeInterventional
Ages12 Years to 45 Years
SexAll
Enrollment150 (estimated)
SponsorMapLight Therapeutics
Industry-sponsored
Locations39 sites (Dothan, Alabama and 38 other locations)
Trial IDNCT05081245 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates for this study are adolescents and adults aged 12 to 45 with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder and stable psychoactive medications.

Probably not a fit

Patients with Rett syndrome, Child Disintegrative Disorder, or uncontrolled epilepsy may not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This clinical trial is a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled study designed to assess the efficacy of ML-004 in enhancing social communication skills among adolescents and adults diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Approximately 150 participants aged 12 to 45 will be enrolled, with a designated care partner to report on symptoms. The study will compare the effects of ML-004 against a placebo over a specified period, focusing on measurable improvements in social communication deficits associated with ASD.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could significantly improve social communication abilities in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

How similar studies have gone: While there have been studies targeting social communication in ASD, the specific approach with ML-004 is novel and has not been extensively tested in this population.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age 12 to 45 at screening
* Has a designated care/study partner who can reliably report on symptoms
* Has a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
* Has a body mass index (BMI) 18 through 34 kg/m², inclusive
* Full scale IQ (or equivalent) ≥55 score, with adequate verbal fluency, as determined by the Principal Investigator.
* Psychoactive medications and adjunctive therapies are stable for 4 weeks prior to screening
* Must be able to swallow study medication

Exclusion Criteria:

* Has Rett syndrome or Child Disintegrative Disorder
* Has participated in any other study and received any other investigational medication (other than COVID-19 vaccination) or device within 60 days prior to screening
* History of epilepsy without current adequate control, or any seizure in the 6 months preceding screening
* History of suicidal ideation or behavior in the past 12 months, or a positive response to C-SSRS questions 4 and/or 5
* Systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg (if adult) or \>135 mmHg (if adolescent), or diastolic blood pressure ≥90 (if adult) or \>85 mmHg (if adolescent), or a clinical history of uncontrolled or severe hypertension
* If female, is pregnant or lactating

Where it's running

  • Harmonex Neuroscience Research
    Dothan, Alabama, United States
    Recruiting
  • Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center, Clinical Research
    Phoenix, Arizona, United States
    Recruiting
  • Cortica Healthcare
    Glendale, California, United States
    Recruiting
  • NRC Research Institute
    Orange, California, United States
    Recruiting
  • Thompson Autism and Neurodevelopmental Center
    Orange, California, United States
    Recruiting
  • Cortica
    San Rafael, California, United States
    Recruiting
Show 33 more locations
  • Pacific Clinical Research Management Group
    Upland, California, United States
    Recruiting
  • Yale Child Study Center
    New Haven, Connecticut, United States
    Recruiting
  • Children's National Health System - The Children's Research Institute (CRI)
    Washington, District of Columbia, United States
    Recruiting
  • Abba Medical Group
    Miami, Florida, United States
    Recruiting
  • APG Research, LLC
    Orlando, Florida, United States
    Recruiting
  • University of South Florida Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences
    Tampa, Florida, United States
    Recruiting
  • Neurobehavioral Medicine Group
    Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, United States
    Recruiting
  • University of Missouri, Thompson Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders
    Columbia, Missouri, United States
    Recruiting
  • Jersey Shore University Medical Center
    Neptune, New Jersey, United States
    Recruiting
  • Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research
    Orangeburg, New York, United States
    Recruiting
  • Richmond Behavioral Associates
    Staten Island, New York, United States
    Recruiting
  • Center for Autism and the Developing Brain, New York State Psychiatric Institute
    White Plains, New York, United States
    Recruiting
  • Ohio State University Nisonger Center
    Columbus, Ohio, United States
    Recruiting
  • Suburban Research Associates
    Media, Pennsylvania, United States
    Recruiting
  • Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
    Recruiting
  • BioBehavioral Research of Austin
    Austin, Texas, United States
    Recruiting
  • Road Runner Research, Ltd.
    San Antonio, Texas, United States
    Recruiting
  • Family Psychiatry of The Woodlands
    The Woodlands, Texas, United States
    Recruiting
  • Brain and Mind Centre
    Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
    Recruiting
  • Children's Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service
    South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
    Recruiting
  • Flinders Medical Centre
    Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
    Recruiting
  • The Royal Children's Hospital, Murdoch Children's Research Institute
    Parkville, Victoria, Australia
    Recruiting
  • OCT Research ULC (dba Okanagan Clinical Trials)
    Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
    Recruiting
  • Lawson Health Research Institute/ London Health Sciences Centre
    London, Ontario, Canada
    Recruiting
  • Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital
    Toronto, Ontario, Canada
    Recruiting
  • University of California, San Francisco
    San Francisco, California, United States
    Withdrawn
  • AMR-Baber Research Inc
    Naperville, Illinois, United States
    Withdrawn
  • Lurie Center for Autism Massachusetts General Hospital
    Lexington, Massachusetts, United States
    Active not recruiting
  • Hassman Research Institute
    Berlin, New Jersey, United States
    Withdrawn
  • Red Oak Psychiatry Associates, PA
    Houston, Texas, United States
    Terminated
  • Cedar Clinical Research
    Draper, Utah, United States
    Active not recruiting
  • Seattle Children's Autism Center
    Seattle, Washington, United States
    Active not recruiting
  • Mater Research
    South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
    Withdrawn

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.