Efficacy and Safety of Functional Neurogenesis Stimulation Therapy in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

NCT07276555 | Not Yet Recruiting FDA Device

• 1 other identifier: NCX-ASD-02
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 256
• Locations: 2 countries
• Sites: 2

Brief Summary

This study will test whether a noninvasive brain stimulation treatment called Functional Neurogenesis Stimulation (using the NeuroCytontron device) can safely improve core symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in children. The study will enroll boys and girls 3 to 12 years old who have ASD (DSM-5 level 1 - 2) and use at least some spoken language. Children may be randomly assigned (like a coin flip) to receive either active NeuroCytotron sessions or sham (placebo) sessions that look the same but deliver no active treatment. Neither the families nor the study staff doing the assessments will know which treatment a child is receiving. The primary question is whether children who receive active treatment exhibit greater improvement in social communication, interaction, and repetitive behaviors compared to children who receive a placebo, as measured by standard autism rating scales. Each child's participation will last about 3 to 4 months, including screening, 28 days of daily, 1-hour treatment sessions, and follow-up visits up to 12 weeks after the last treatment. During the study, children will undergo physical exams, vital sign assessments, blood and urine tests, brain MRI scans, and electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings to examine brain structure and activity. Some children may need mild sedation or anesthesia for an MRI, which has its own risks. The device utilizes low-energy electromagnetic fields, similar to those used in MRIs. Possible risks include discomfort from lying still, anxiety around the device or MRI scanner, and side effects from sedation or from unexpected changes in behavior or seizures. There may or may not be direct benefit to each child, but information from this study may help researchers develop new, noninvasive treatment options for children with ASD in the future.

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Keywords

Neurocytotron; Autism Spectrum Disorder; ASD; Functional Neurogenesis Stimulation Therapy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2) total score

  ADOS-2 is a standardized, semi-structured assessment that measures social communication, interaction, play, and restricted or repetitive behaviors in individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Higher total scores indicate greater severity of ASD symptoms. The primary outcome is the change in ADOS-2 total score from baseline to 12 weeks post-treatment, comparing participants treated with NeuroCytotron functional neurogenesis stimulation therapy to those treated with placebo. A decrease in score reflects improvement in core ASD symptoms.

  Baseline (pre-treatment, Days -3 to -1) to 12 weeks after the end of treatment

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Change in Childhood Autism Rating Scale, Third Edition (CARS-3) total score

  Baseline (pre-treatment, Days -3 to -1) to 12 weeks after the end of treatment

• Incidence and severity of treatment-emergent adverse events and serious adverse events

  From first treatment session (Day 1) through 12-week follow-up (approximately 14 weeks total per participant)

• Change in Gilliam Autism Rating Scale, Third Edition (GARS-3) total score

  Baseline to 12 weeks after the end of treatment

• Change in Adaptive Behavior Assessment System, Third Edition (ABAS-3) composite score

  Baseline to 12 weeks after the end of treatment

Other Outcomes (4)

• Change in brain regional volumes on structural MRI

  Baseline (pre-treatment) to 12 weeks after the end of treatment

• Change in white matter integrity on diffusion tensor imaging (DTI)

  Baseline to 12 weeks after the end of treatment

• Change in EEG spectral power, connectivity, and event-related potentials

  Baseline, end of treatment (Day 28), and 4, 8, and 12 weeks after the end of treatment

Study Arms (2)

Placebo Control Group

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Group not treated with Functional Neurogenesis Stimulation Therapy (NeuroCytotron)

Other: placebo control group

Functional Neurogenesis Stimulation Therapy Treatment Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Group treated with Functional Neurogenesis Stimulation Therapy (NeuroCytotron)

Device: Functional Neurogenesis Stimulation Therapy

Interventions

Functional Neurogenesis Stimulation Therapy DEVICE

NeuroCytotron is a noninvasive investigational medical device that delivers Functional Neurogenesis Stimulation using low-energy, pulsed electromagnetic fields to specific brain regions. For this study, each participant receives one 60-minute treatment session per day for 28 consecutive days. Treatment parameters (field strength, frequency, and beam geometry) are individualized for each child based on their baseline brain MRI to define a three-dimensional target volume. During each session, the child sits or lies comfortably inside the device while the pre-programmed treatment plan is delivered; no surgery, implants, or systemic medications are used.

Also known as: NeuroCytotron

Functional Neurogenesis Stimulation Therapy Treatment Group

placebo control group OTHER

This group will be placed on the device, but will not be treated (placebo group).

Placebo Control Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 3 Years - 12 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• Male or female subjects with a confirmed diagnosis of ASD according to DSM-5
• criteria.
• Subjects ≥ 3 and ≤ 12 years.
• Subjects with ASD severity grade 1 to 2 according to DSM-5 criteria.
• Participants must have functional use of language (i.e., at least some verbal
• communication) to ensure that they engage with the assessments.
• Stable on current medications for at least 4 weeks prior to the study.
• To have the informed consent of the parents or legal representatives for the subject's
• participation in the study.
• Subjects must be physically able and willing to undergo the treatment sessions.
• Subjects must be medically and psychologically stable to participate in the study.

You may not qualify if:

• Presence of medical conditions that could contraindicate the use of NeuroCytotron,
• such as severe neurological disorders and difficult-to-control epilepsy.
• uncontrolled epilepsy is defined as: more than 1 generalized seizure in any month within the 3 months prior to the day 1 visit, or
• history of any of the following within 9 months prior to the day 1 visit: prolonged seizures or repetitive seizure activity requiring administration of a rescue benzodiazepine (oral, rectal, etc.) more than once a month, seizures lasting more than 10 minutes, status epilepticus or epilepsy with autonomic involvement.
• Concurrent participation in other therapies or interventions for autism during the
• study period and within the last 6 months.
• Logistical or situational limitations that prevent regular attendance at treatment
• sessions.
• History of significant adverse reactions to similar treatments or involving the use of anesthesia.
• Presence of serious behavioral problems or aggression that may affect the safety of the subject or staff during treatment sessions.
• Current or recent (previous 14 days) history of clinically significant bacterial, fungal, viral or mycobacterial infection.
• Presence of implanted medical devices or metallic foreign bodies that are not compatible with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or with the NeuroCytotron device, including but not limited to pacemakers, cochlear implants, deep brain stimulators, spinal cord stimulators, or any ferromagnetic implants.
• Participants diagnosed with ASD will be excluded from the protocol if they present any of the following conditions identified through imaging studies:
• Major Structural Lesions:
• Primary or metastatic brain tumors that compromise general neurological function.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Neurocytonix, Inc.: lead

Study Sites (2)

NeuroCytonix, Inc.

Rockville, Maryland, 20850, United States

Location

NeuroCytonix Mexico

San Pedro Garza García, Nuevo León, 66224, Mexico

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Child Development Disorders, Pervasive; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Mental Disorders

Study Officials

• Jose R Trujillo, M.D., Sc.D.

  Neurocytonix, Inc.

  STUDY CHAIR

• Lorenzo R Morales Mancias, M.D.

  Neurocytonix, Inc.

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Jose R Trujillo, M.D., Sc.D.

CONTACT

240-243-6455; jrtrujillo@neurocytonix.com

Karen P Camarillo Cardenas

CONTACT

+52 81 3541 4706; kcamarillo@neurocytonix.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: QUADRUPLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, CARE PROVIDER, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: INDUSTRY
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 29, 2025
• First Posted: December 11, 2025
• Study Start: February 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): February 1, 2029
• Study Completion (Estimated): May 29, 2029
• Last Updated: December 16, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-12

Locations

ME (1); US (1)