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Enrolling by Invitation

NCT Number: NCT07546942

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Neurodevelopmental Disorder With Issues Social Behavior, Communication Issues, GI Dysfunction. Study is Multimodal Interventions Targeting These Pathways With cSVF, Stored MSCs, FMT and Diet Modification. Role of Autoimmunity, Gut-brain Issues, & Issues Examined.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition with core deficits in social communication and behavior, often accompanied by gastrointestinal (GI) and metabolic dysfunction. Emerging evidence supports the role of neuroinflammation (including autoimmune components), gut-brain axis disruption, and metabolic dysregulation in ASD pathophysiology. Multimodal interventions targeting these pathways-using autologous cSVF, cryopreserved MSCs, FMT, and dietary modulation-intent is that these multimodal interventions may offer synergistic benefits for adolescents and adults with ASD.

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Key information

About this study

This refined protocol integrates the latest evidence for a multimodal intervention-autologous cSVF, cryopreserved autologous MSCs, FMT, and a structured ketogenic protocol program-for adolescent and adult ASD management.

  • Protocol Summary

Title:

A Phase 1-2 Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating the Safety and Efficacy of Multimodal Therapy (Autologous cSVF + Cryopreserved Autologous MSCs, Fecal Microbiota Transplantation, Ketogenic Program Reset, and OT/PT Training) in Adolescents and Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD-Multi-level scoring)

Sponsor: Blacktie Principal Investigator: Robert W. Alexander, MD, FICS Study Phase: Phase I/II Study Centers: 1-3 Clinical Applied Research Laboratories/academic centers with expertise in ASD, stem cell processing and utilization, plus gastroenterology/PMD consultants available for FMT in patient's locale

Compliance:

NIH and IRB oversight Informed consent for all participants

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  • Background and Rationale Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition with core deficits in social communication and behavior, often accompanied by gastrointestinal (GI) and metabolic dysfunction. Emerging evidence supports the role of neuroinflammation (including autoimmune components), gut-brain axis disruption, and metabolic dysregulation in ASD pathophysiology. Multimodal interventions targeting these pathways-using autologous cSVF, cryopreserved MSCs, FMT, and dietary modulation-may offer synergistic benefits for adolescents and adults with ASD.

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  • Objectives and Endpoints

Primary Objective:

  • Evaluate the safety and tolerability of the multimodal interventions compared to current standard of care (SOC) for supportive therapy.

Secondary Objectives:

  • Assess changes in ASD core symptoms, GI function, behavioral and social outcomes, and quality of life.

Endpoints:

  • Incidence of adverse events (AEs) and serious adverse events (SAEs)
  • Change in validated ASD and GI symptom scales (CARS, VABS-II, GSRS, SRS, ABC)
  • Microbiome diversity and metabolic biomarker changes
  • Assessed performance and QoL evaluations
  • Study Design and Methodology
  • Design: Multi-disciplined, open labelled, controlled, parallel-group (1:1:1), tracked for cellular and biologics used, open-label, including tracking of diet/OT-PT
  • Sample Size: 50 participants (range ages 10-90, DSM-5 ASD diagnosis)
  • Randomization: Stratified by age, sex, and baseline GI symptoms, Socialization
  • Interim Analysis: Futility analysis at 50% enrollment
  • Study Population

Inclusion criteria

  • Age 10-90 years, DSM-5 ASD diagnosis
  • Stable on current medications (if so treated at time of selection)
  • With/without comorbid GI symptoms

Exclusion criteria

  • Recent antibiotics/probiotics
  • Severe GI disease or malnutrition
  • Recent major surgery
  • Other Medical/Surgery issues that preclude the treatment with the protocol; including spectrum limitations for patient tolerance or compliance.
  • Intervention Protocols 6.1 Autologous Cellular Stromal Vascular Fraction (cSVF)
  • Collection: Small volume Lipoaspirate via sterile microcannula harvesting of small aggregate tSVF - under local or supplemental anesthesia as dictated by patient ability to tolerate.
  • Processing: Enzymatic digestion for cSVF and cellular isolation/concentration of heterogeneous cell groups within the cSVF (via collagenase, centrifugation, and possible undesignated cell characterization (CD34+, CD90+, CD105+)
  • Dosing: =/> 10 x 106 - 5 × 10^7 cells delivered by standard Normal Saline IV infusion
  • Administration: Intravenous (IV) route with in-line sterile 150u filtration
  • Applied LED Red Light Exposure cSVF throughout deployment
  • Standard American Cell Technology (ACT) protocol harvesting, testing and overnight shipping on day of Harvest for Cryopreservation Protocol for storage of autologous Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs characterized as above) for future interval delivery
  • Safety: Monitored for infusion reactions, infection, and thromboembolic events] 6.2 Cryopreserved Autologous MSCs
  • Source: Autologous microcannula harvested tSVF or bone marrow (BMAC)
  • Cryopreservation: Slow freezing (-1°C/min to -80°C, then liquid nitrogen), 10% DMSO, clinical-grade solutions. ACT Standard and monitored storage per FDA requirement
  • Viability: ≥70% post-thaw, confirmed by ORFLO Flow Cytometry
  • Dosing: 1-30 × 10^6 cells within sterile Normal Saline (balanced) IV infusion minimum
  • Administration: Peripheral IV route with in-line 150 u micron filtration and Red Light Therapy
  • Quality Control: Surface marker analysis, sterility, [endotoxin, karyotype on record with FDA certified Cell Banking Laboratory- ACT] 6.3 Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT)
  • Donor Screening: Pathogen, parasite, and virus screening; FDA GMP processing
  • Preparation: Standardized, frozen human gut microbiota, delivered on dry ice
  • Pre-treatment: 14 days oral vancomycin, bowel cleanse (MoviPrep), acid suppression (Prilosec)
  • Dosing: High initial dose (oral/rectal), followed by daily oral maintenance for 7-8 weeks
  • Monitoring: GI and behavioral symptoms (GSRS, CARS, SRS, VABS-II)14-17]] 6.4 Ketogenic/Carnivore Diet (Carnivore RESET Program)
  • Diet: High-fat, low-carbohydrate, animal-based reset; macronutrient ratios to induce a state of ketosis (indicative of fat burning and reduction of insulin resistance.
  • Baseline Blood Testing: FBS, Fasting Insulin Levels, Hemoglobin A1c, Lipid Panel, Fasting Ketones, CBC, CRP, and other appropriate testing
  • Monitoring: Dietary logs, blood ketones, nutritional assessments at least quarterly
  • Support: PMC, Gastroenterologist,etc Provider or Dietitian, compliance checks near patient's home
  • Repeat testing of Blood levels repeated at 90-180 days
  • Safety: Monitor for metabolic derangements, GI side effects 6.5 OT/PT Training
  • Program: Standardized occupational and physical therapy modules
  • Continuation of Verbal, Socialization, and Educational Efforts
  • Frequency: 2-3 sessions/week, individualized goals (may be home monitored)
  • Safety Monitoring Plan
  • Adverse Event Monitoring: Continuous, with prompt reporting of SAEs
  • Infusion Reactions: Pre- and post-infusion monitoring for autologous cSVF/MSCs
  • Dietary Safety: Regular metabolic and nutritional assessments and tracking
  • FMT Safety: Exclusion of high-risk participants, close monitoring for infection
  • Outcome Measures and Biomarker Assessments Domain Assessment Tools/Markers ASD Symptoms CARS, SRS, ABC, VABS-II; observational behavior, socialization changes, communication abilities, GI Symptoms Bristol Stool Scale; Management testing of bowel flora bacteria Metabolic Blood glucose, ketones, vitamin B6, dopamine Inflammation Fecal calprotectin, serum IgA, ESR/CRP Safety AE/SAE logs, laboratory monitoring

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  • Statistical Analysis Plan
  • Primary Analysis: Safety (AEs/SAEs) by intervention Provider
  • Secondary Analysis: Change in symptom scales and biomarkers (ANCOVA, mixed models)
  • Interim Analysis: Futility and safety at 50% enrollment check
  • Regulatory and Ethical Considerations
  • FDA/NIH Clinical Trial Submission: For Trial approval for use cSVF, MSCs, and FMT
  • IRB Approval: NIH/FDA Approval or equivalent recognized IRB Board (GARM International Review Board)
  • Informed Consent: All participants/guardians
  • Data Privacy: HIPAA-compliant data management

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • ADS
  • Stable on current medications or therapy
  • With/wthout comorbid GI (gut/Axis) symptoms

Exclusion criteria

  • Recent antiobiotics or probiotic therapy within 30 days
  • Severe GI disease or malnutrition
  • Recent major surgery that may interfere with study course
  • Other Med/Surgery issues that may preclude treatment with this protocol
  • Inability to perform the monitoring of FMT without supervision by qualfied Provider

Treatment and study plan

Autologous MSC isolation, concentration, and cryopreservation of adult mesenchymal stem cells

Procedure

Isolation/concentration autologous MSCs derived from tSVF from each patient participant only

Fecal Biomicrome Transplantation (FMT)

Dietary Supplement

Novel Biome Protocol for elimination of patient's gut flora, replacement oral transplantation with a known flora common to restore the brain-gut balance in ASD patients

Ketogenic RESET Diet Protocol

Dietary Supplement

Limited timeframe strick ketogenic diet for RESET of insulin resistance in form of high animal derived protein, high animal derived fat, low carbohydrate diet for 90 days, then standard ketogenic diet as tolerated

Trial combines use of cSVF and MSCs (cryopres) with diet modification and FMT (fecal material Transplant in adult ASD patients

Behavioral

GI Axis modification of bowel flora (FMT); Diet modification to permit mild ketosis in patient; cellular modification with use of cSVF and MSCs (autologous only)

FMT (Fecal Material Tranplantation)

Dietary Supplement

Converting diet from patient selection which complies with the needs to change the GI-Axis to accommodate bowel changes and restoration of a normal bowel flora

Use autologous cSVF + MSCs (cryo) for management of autoimmune component, anti-inflammatory and immune modulation

Biological

Use of cSVF isolation and submission to FDA certified tissue/cell bank for subsequent use of autolgous patient only

Primary outcomes

  1. Socialization Alterations

    Time frame: 1 year

    SRS-2 caregiver/teacher: Change in social behavior as measured by the Social Responsiveness Scale, Second Edition (SRS-2), a 65-item caregiver- and teacher-reported instrument scored on a scale of 0 to 195, where lower scores indicate better social functioning. SRS-2 assessments are completed at baseline, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months to evaluate change over time.Time Frame: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months

  2. Communication/Education Enhancement

    Time frame: Months and 1 year

    PPVT-5 Peabody Picture Vocabulary testing: Change in receptive vocabulary and language comprehension as measured by the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test, Fifth Edition (PPVT-5). Standard scores range from approximately 40 to 160 (mean = 100, SD = 15), where higher scores indicate better vocabulary and language ability. Testing is administered at baseline, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months.Time Frame: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months

Secondary outcomes

  1. Gut-Brain Axis Improvement

    Time frame: 1 year

    GSRS Testing: Change in gastrointestinal symptoms as measured by the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS), a 15-item patient- or caregiver-reported questionnaire. Scores range from 1 to 7 per item (total composite score 15-105), where lower scores indicate fewer or less severe GI symptoms. Assessed at baseline, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months.Time Frame: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Black Tie Medical, Inc.

Industry

Registry information

Official study title

Autism Spectral Disorder (ASD) In Adolescent-Adults Treated by Multimodal Protocol: IV Autologous cSVF, Interval IV Autologous MSCs (Cryopreserved), Strick Ketogenic Diet RESET Program, and Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT)

Acronym: GARM-Autism

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2030
Study completion
2030
First posted
Apr 23, 2026
Registry last updated
Apr 27, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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