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N-acetylcysteine for Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors in Autism

This study is looking at how a single dose of N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a nutritional supplement, affects children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Researchers want to understand the brain changes that happen when children take NAC, specifically looking at brain chemicals called glutamatergic neurometabolites (Glx) using an MRI scan. They hope to learn more about how NAC might help with restricted and repetitive behaviors in ASD. You might be able to join if you are a child between 3 and 12 years old with a confirmed diagnosis of ASD. The study aims to enroll 24 participants, but its current recruitment status is unclear.

Study design
This is an interventional study with an unspecified phase, planning to enroll 24 participants. It is a single-dose study of N-acetylcysteine.
What's involved
You would take a single oral dose of 2700 mg of N-acetylcysteine. Your brain chemicals (Glx) would be measured by MRI one hour after taking the dose.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your brain chemicals will be measured at 1 hour after the single dose. No further follow-up is specified.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT04278898

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

Recruiting
PHASE2Ages 3–12InterventionalTreatment
Stanford University
~24 participants
Updated 2026-05-15 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:N-Acetylcysteine

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Change in glutamatergic neurometabolites (Glx) measured by proton spectroscopy Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Measured over 1 hour after single dose

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder

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Autism Spectrum Disorder

NCT04278898

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 1 site. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

  • Stanford University School of Medicine

    Stanford, Californiastudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.

Study leadership

  • John Hegarty, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Stanford University

Who to contact

Ramy Chebbo
[email protected]
(650) 723-7845
Email the study team

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

children between 3 years and 12 years 11 months at the time of consent
diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder confirmed with the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-2 (ADOS-2), or Brief Observation of Symptoms of Autism (BOSA), or Childhood Autism Rating Scale- Second Edition (CARS-2).
at least moderate Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors severity defined by a Children's Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale for children with autism spectrum disorder score ≥ 11,
physical development indicative of prepubescence as defined by the criteria for Tanner Stage 1,
medically stable,
passes MR safety screening (e.g., no metal in the body).

Exclusion

presence of known genetic abnormalities associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder (e.g. Fragile X),
current or life-time diagnosis of severe psychiatric disorder (e.g., schizophrenia),
presence of significant medical problems that would interfere with participation,
the inability of at least one caregiver to speak/read English to a sufficient level to complete study requirements and materials,
individuals taking antioxidant agents and glutathione prodrugs, or
the inability/unwillingness to swallow an agent during the screening visit.

What this trial measures

  • Change in glutamatergic neurometabolites (Glx) measured by proton spectroscopy Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)1 hour after single dose