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
| Phase | Phase 2 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 12 Years to 45 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 150 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | MapLight Therapeutics Industry-sponsored |
| Locations | 39 sites (Dothan, Alabama and 38 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT05081245 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
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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
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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
- Study coordinator: Clinical Trials Contact Center
- Email: ML-004-002@Maplightrx.com
- Phone: +1 650-839-4388
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.