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Neuroimaging of Escitalopram in Autism Spectrum Disorder

NCT06826326 · Status: ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION · Phase: PHASE2 · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 5

Last updated 2026-02-18

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the acute effects of escitalopram (Lexapro®) on select brain networks during task-based functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in adolescent individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We hope to learn more about the acute effects of escitalopram and how it might be used to treat inflexible thinking or rigid-compulsive behavior that can be associated with restricted and repetitive behaviors in adolescents with ASD.

Participants will:

* Attend 3 visits to complete tests of thinking abilities and fill out surveys about their health and behavior
* Be randomly assigned to receive escitalopram at one of the first two visits after screening and a placebo at the other visit.
* Complete a reward-based task that tracks eye movement, either during MRI or in laboratory environment.

Conditions

Interventions

DRUG

Escitalopram 10mg

oral administration of escitalopram 10 mg

DRUG

Placebo

Placebo

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Kathryn Unruh

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Kathryn E Unruh, PhD · University of Kansas

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Model
CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age
12 Years
Max Age
17 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2025-04-28
Primary Completion
2026-12-30
Completion
2026-12-30
FDA Drug
Yes

Countries

  • United States

Study Locations

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Entities

Drugs
Diseases

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT06826326 on ClinicalTrials.gov