This is a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled study investigating the efficacy of a full-spectrum medicinal cannabis plant extract on core and associated ASD symptoms over placebo. Participants will be randomly allocated to either NTI164 or placebo at a 1:1 ratio and blood samples will be collected and surveys completed at baseline and Week 16. This study will expand efficacy and safety data of NTI164 and provide additional mechanism of action data of NTI164 in this patient cohort.
Participants will be recruited from Monash Health, Vic, Australia and will have a diagnosis of ASD Level II or III, as well as satisfying other inclusion/exclusion criteria. The primary objective is to assess efficacy of 16 weeks of daily oral administration of NTI164 on core ASD symptoms compared to placebo. The secondary objectives are to further expand the safety data of NTI164 in this patient cohort, and assess the changes in other associated symptoms of ASD following NTI164.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
98
Monash Health
Clayton, Victoria, Australia
Social Responsiveness Scale, 2nd Edition (SRS-2)
Captures overall change in core ASD symptoms across domains including social awareness, social cognition, social communication, social motivation, and restricted and repetitive behaviours. Scores are between 0-195, and higher scores indicate greater impairment.
Time frame: Baseline, Week 16
Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales, 3rd Edition (Vineland-3)
Used to measure functioning across 3 core domains, Communication, Daily Living Skills, and Socialisation, as well as 2 optional domains, Motor Skills and Maladaptive Behaviour. The core domains sum to a total Adaptive Behaviour Composite. Scores are between 20-160, higher scores indicate better outcomes.
Time frame: Baseline, Week 16
Clinical Global Impression - Improvement (CGI-I)
Provides a clinician-rated global assessment of improvement at a given time point following an intervention. 1-3 = improvement, 4 = no change, 5-7 = worsening.
Time frame: Baseline, Week 16
Clinical Global Impression - Severity (CGI-S)
Evaluates a clinician's impression of disease severity at a given time point from a scale of 1-7. A higher score indicates greater impairment/disease severity.
Time frame: Baseline, Week 16
Anxiety, Depression, and Mood Scale (ADAMS)
Measures emotional and behavioural disturbances frequently comorbid with ASD. Assesses 5 domains (Manic/hyperactive Behaviour, Depressed Mood, Social Avoidance, General Anxiety, and Compulsive Behaviour). Scores are between 0-84, with higher scores indicating greater impairment.
Time frame: Baseline, Week 16
Autism Family Experience Questionnaire (AFEQ)
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Captures caregiver perceptions of changes in family impact, child wellbeing, and support burden. Scores range from 48-240, with higher scores indicating worse family outcomes.
Time frame: Baseline, Week 16
Sleep Disturbances Scale for Children (SDSC)
Evaluates treatment-related changes in sleep quality and sleep-wake behaviours. Assesses 6 domains (Disorders of Initiating and Maintaining Sleep, Sleep Breathing Disorders, Disorders of Arousal, Sleep Wake Transition Disorders, Disorders of Excessive Somnolence, and Sleep Hyperhidrosis). Scores range from 26-130, with higher scores indicating greater impairment and issues around sleep.
Time frame: Baseline, Week 16
EQ-5D-Y-5L
Measures broader wellbeing and day-to-day function, as well as quality of life (QoL), from a caregiver-reported perspective. Assesses health in 5 domains (Mobility, Usual Activities, Self-care, Pain/discomfort, and Anxiety/depression), and QoL. Scores range from 0-1, with 0 = the worst health possible and 1 = the best possible health state. The higher the score, the better the health state.
Time frame: Baseline, Week 16
Anxiety Scale for Children with ASD, Parent edition (ASC-ASD-P)
Evaluates changes in anxiety symptoms and emotional regulation. It is used to detect symptoms of anxiety in youth with ASD and assesses 4 domains (Performance Anxiety, Uncertainty, Anxious Arousal, and Separation Anxiety). Scores range from 0-72, with higher scores indicating greater impairment.
Time frame: Baseline, Week 16
Aberrant Behaviour Checklist (ABC)
Assesses challenging behaviours and behavioural regulation relevant to ASD functioning. Measures impairment across 5 domains (Irritability, Lethargy/social Withdrawal, Stereotypic Behaviour, Hyperactivity/non-compliance, and Inappropriate Speech. Scores range from 0-174, with higher scores indicating greater impairment.
Time frame: Baseline, Week 16