Stem Cell Therapy for Autism: What It Involves, Who It Is For, and What the Results Show

Are you considering Stem Cell Treatment for Autism?

Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental condition that profoundly impacts the social and cognitive abilities of countless children. While conventional treatments and supportive interventions focus primarily on managing symptoms and enhancing daily functionality, they do not directly target the biological mechanisms that are being investigated in autism. Stem cell therapy offers a promising area of research, with studies suggesting its potential to improve some of the core symptoms associated with autism (1, 2).

Discover how stem cell treatment could be a transformative option for you or your loved one.

Is Stem Cell Therapy a Cure for Autism?

No. Stem cell therapy does not cure autism.

What the published studies and our own follow-up data describe is improvement in specific symptoms in many patients, though not in all. Clinical benefit is not guaranteed, the degree of improvement differs considerably from one child to another, and the treatment remains experimental for every age group. Research into how well it works, and for whom, is ongoing (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11).

Stem cell therapy is being investigated for its potential effects on neurological, immune and inflammatory processes associated with autism, whereas the treatments described further down this page act on the behaviours that result from them. This is a different approach and does not amount to a cure (1, 2, 9).

What the most recent research shows

One of the strongest recent controlled studies is a 2026 double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of intravenous umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells. It is one of the few trials in this field designed so that neither parents nor assessors knew who had received cells, and this is relevant because the usual measures are behavioural rating scales, which can be influenced by what parents expect. Over 13 weeks it found a measurable advantage over placebo on social responsiveness (p = 0.045) and, more robustly, on social cognition (p = 0.002). Adverse events were slightly fewer in the treated group than in the placebo group (5).

The result applies to a specific group. Thirty-six children were enrolled and randomized, and 34 completed the final follow-up and were included in the efficacy analysis. All were enrolled specifically because blood tests showed immune dysregulation: at least one inflammatory marker above 1.5 times the normal upper limit. Children who did not meet that threshold were screened out. The finding therefore applies to children with an inflammatory profile, not to autism in general (report summary) (5).

An earlier 2020 Duke University Phase II trial randomized 180 children with autism aged 2 to 7 to a single intravenous infusion of umbilical cord blood (their own or a donor’s) or placebo. It did not show a significant improvement in the primary socialization outcome across the full study population. In children without intellectual disability, the researchers reported encouraging findings in communication and in some exploratory measures of attention, although these analyses were not corrected for multiple testing. No serious adverse event was attributed to the cells, but infusion reactions occurred in 10% of the children given cord blood, four of them severe, all in children who received donor cord blood. The authors concluded that the results did not support the use of cord blood for autism outside a clinical trial. This trial used cord blood, not umbilical cord tissue MSCs (report summary) (6).

A separate 2020 Duke University Phase I study looked specifically at intravenous umbilical cord tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) in 12 children with autism. The treatment was generally safe and well tolerated, and 6 of the 12 children showed improvement in at least two of the three autism-specific measures used. The study was open-label, so the authors could not say whether those improvements came from the cells, and they concluded that the findings supported further controlled research into umbilical cord-derived MSCs in autism (report summary) (7).

A 2026 meta-analysis of 22 studies found a significant pooled improvement after stem cell treatment, while reporting very high heterogeneity between the studies it pooled (I² = 95%), which means the studies differed so much in design, population and protocol that the combined figure shows the direction of the effect but cannot be read as a precise measure of it (report summary) (8). One further limitation is that the pooled analysis included a 2019 study of umbilical cord MSCs by Riordan and colleagues that the journal retracted in 2021. The stated reason was that participants had been charged to take part and this had not been disclosed, not a problem with the data, but it should be kept in mind when the pooled result is read (21).

A 2026 review of the field counted the whole clinical evidence base: nine registered trials, of which five are complete. The review lists what is still missing. Most are open-label, so the placebo effect cannot be ruled out; the large majority enrolled fewer than 50 participants; cell types, doses and routes differ so much between them that results cannot properly be combined; the assumed immunomodulatory mechanism has not yet been directly confirmed as the mechanism of clinical improvement in humans; and not one trial reports long-term efficacy or safety data (report summary) (9).

Overall, a growing number of studies have reported encouraging results, although findings have not been consistent across all trials. Most of them are small and uncontrolled, and there is no long-term evidence yet. All of our summaries are listed on the autism medical reports index.

Who Is a Candidate for Stem Cell Treatment for Autism?

Autism is generally diagnosed during early childhood, and early developmental intervention in autism is associated with better developmental outcomes (2, 3).

• Younger children often show encouraging responses, typically when treatment begins between the ages of 2 and 5. We generally favor treatment during early childhood and early school age (around 3 to 7 years), because the human brain continues developing after birth into early childhood and early intervention in neurodevelopmental conditions is associated with better outcomes.
• There is no proven upper age limit: The treatment remains experimental for all age groups, and older children and adults may still report improvements in social interaction, communication and behavioural regulation. Research here is ongoing.
• Most studies enrolled patients from age 3 onward, with no age-specific side effects reported (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10).

Suitability is decided case by case. Every enquiry goes to our medical department, which reviews the patient’s medical condition through our online medical evaluation system and only then recommends a specific treatment location and protocol. We recommend speaking to our specialists before you decide, so that you know what can realistically be expected in your case.

Send us the medical records and our team will come back to you.

Who May Not Be Suitable for Treatment?

Every patient is reviewed individually by our medical team before treatment is accepted. Treatment may be declined, postponed, or require additional medical evaluation when there is a condition that could increase the risks of stem cell administration, intravenous infusion, sedation, or lumbar puncture. Similar safety considerations have also been used as exclusion criteria in published clinical studies of cell therapy for autism (5, 7, 20).

Possible exclusion or temporary deferral criteria include:

• Active infection, fever, or another acute illness at the planned time of treatment
• Uncontrolled or recently active seizures, hydrocephalus, or another unstable neurological condition that may increase treatment or procedural risk
• Active cancer or a history of cancer that requires further medical assessment before treatment
• Severe or uncontrolled heart, lung, liver, kidney, or other major organ dysfunction
• Significant blood-clotting abnormalities or another condition that may make lumbar puncture unsafe
• Severe immune deficiency, autoimmune disease requiring immunosuppressive treatment, or another significant immune-system disorder requiring individual medical assessment
• A history of severe allergic reactions, particularly reactions to blood or biological products, when relevant to the planned treatment
• A medical condition that makes intravenous infusion, sedation, or intrathecal administration unsafe
• Any other significant medical condition that our medical team considers to make the potential risks of treatment greater than the expected benefit

These are general safety considerations rather than absolute exclusions in every case. Some conditions may only require treatment to be postponed until the patient has recovered or become medically stable, while others may require additional investigations or modification of the treatment protocol. Final eligibility is determined individually after review of the patient’s medical history, current condition, medications, laboratory results and relevant medical reports.

What proportion of applications are declined?

We do not currently publish an overall acceptance or rejection percentage. Each application is reviewed individually. Some patients are accepted immediately, while others may require additional medical information, treatment of an existing condition, a period of medical stability or a modification of the proposed protocol, and some may ultimately not be considered suitable for treatment.

Possible Improvements after Stem Cell Therapy for Autism

How Stem Cell Therapy Improves Symptoms of Autism

Stem cells are immature cells with the ability to self-renew and, depending on the type of stem cell, develop into one or more specialized cell types. They can develop into ectodermal (ex. skin and some neurological structures), mesodermal (ex. bones, cartilages, and blood cells), or endodermal cells (ex. cells of internal body organs). The MSCs used in our treatment are multipotent cells, meaning they can develop into several specialized cell types and, importantly, release biological signals that can influence surrounding tissues. Therefore, injecting stem cells may support tissue repair not only through their ability to differentiate, but also through the biological signals they release (12, 13).

However, following extensive testing of stem cell treatment on people with autism, in addition to their self-renewing and differentiation abilities, MSCs may have additional therapeutic effects beyond tissue replacement, including (9, 13):

• Supporting nerve-cell function and repair: As mentioned, MSCs release growth factors and other signaling molecules that may support neuronal survival, repair and plasticity.
• Increasing the release of neurotrophic factors that may promote nervous cell proliferation and differentiation (ex. glia-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)). These factors can locally enhance cellular recruitment, proliferation, and maturation within the damaged or affected areas of the nervous system.
• Modulating the immune system and the ongoing inflammatory process, thereby potentially reducing inflammatory activity that may contribute to the characteristic symptoms of autism.
• Potentially promoting vascular support to the nervous system by stimulating the generation of new blood vessels (neovascularization/angiogenesis) through stimulating different vascular stimulating growth factors (ex. VEGF).

Benefits of Stem Cell Therapy in Autism

Published studies and our own patient follow-up data have reported that the use of stem cell therapy in autistic people has shown improvement in (5, 6, 7, 10, 11):

• Speech and language
• Social interaction and communication
• Emotional responsiveness
• Hyperactivity, Aggression, Tantrum Reduction
• Hypersensitivity to Light Reduction
• Prolonged Staring / Pain Insensitivity Improvement
• Cognitive functions
• Gastrointestinal health

Changes on functional brain imaging techniques were also seen in some studies, with the brains of autistic people showing changes in glucose metabolism following stem cell transplantation. These changes may reflect improvements in brain activity and functional connectivity following stem cell therapy, although in one of the two studies they did not reach statistical significance and their clinical significance is still being studied (15, 16).

Safety, Side Effects and Cell Quality Control

Like any medical treatment, stem cell therapy can have side effects. Many of the short-term reactions reported are similar to those that can occur after an IV infusion or injection, such as fever, headache, nausea, temporary discomfort, or an allergic or immune reaction. Intrathecal administration also involves a lumbar puncture and may cause temporary procedure-related symptoms such as headache, back discomfort, nausea or vomiting (5, 7, 10). Side effects reported specifically in clinical trials of stem cell therapy in autism are:

• Headaches
• Pain at the injection or puncture site
• Gastrointestinal disturbance, including nausea and vomiting
• Seizures, reported in some studies
• An initial increase in hyperactivity during the first three months after treatment, reported in some studies

None of the side effects reported in those trials were life-threatening, and most reported reactions were temporary and managed medically when they occurred (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 16). A 2026 Phase I trial is the closest published study to our own delivery route: three intrathecal injections of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stromal cells, a month apart, in five children aged 3 to 7. Over six months it recorded no serious adverse events, but every child had at least one transient reaction: fever in 5 of 5, vomiting in 4 of 5, nausea in 3 of 5. The fevers carried no meningeal signs and settled within 12 to 48 hours on paracetamol. Parents may find two findings from that paper useful. A short fever after an injection was common and was not accompanied by evidence of infection. Reactions also became more frequent and more marked with each successive injection, so the first was the mildest (report summary) (10). Our protocol delivers cells both intravenously and by intrathecal injection, which is performed after a lumbar puncture, a procedure with its own risks, which the treating physicians go through with you before you consent.

On the cells themselves: both cell types we use have been studied for safety. A 2026 meta-analysis of 42 randomized trials of intravenous umbilical cord MSCs, in adults, found no signal of tumour or ectopic tissue formation, while noting that such events are rare and that most trials followed patients for a year or less (14). The cord blood trials in children described above reported no serious adverse events attributable to the cells (5, 6). Unlike embryonic stem cells, these cell types have not shown a tendency to form tumours in clinical studies to date.

Every batch of cells is screened, tested twice and traceable by code before it is released for use. The full process is described on our standards and certifications page.

Where Treatment Happens, and Under Which Regulations

Treatment is delivered at affiliated hospitals in Bangkok, Thailand and in Dongguan, China. It is not approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and is not offered in the United States. It is given under Thai and Chinese regulations for cell therapy, and the cells are prepared in laboratories with CNAS, GMP and ISO accreditation. The accreditation details and the certificates are on our standards and certifications page.

Our Treatment Program in Details

Beike is unlike any other stem cell treatment provider in the world, the reason? Since 2005, we have been developing and optimizing our stem cell treatment protocols with the concept that only a very comprehensive solution can allow our patients to truly benefit from stem cells. Based on our clinical experience, we believe that stimulation through various therapies can help to enhance stem cell regenerative response, therefore our protocols include daily therapies to support the stem cells. Finally, we provide a wide variety and large quantities of stem cells in order to adapt to each patient specific condition and deliver maximized regenerative potential.

Our stem cell therapy for autism program consists of 6 to 8 scheduled administrations of umbilical cord derived stem cells. The stem cells are transplanted using two separate methods: by intravenous way using a standard IV drip system, and through intrathecal injection performed after lumbar puncture. These two delivery methods allow for increased efficacy while ensuring safety and minimum inconvenience for the patient.

Ireland, Septo-Optic Dysplasia / Autism | Stem Cell Treatment Testimonial

Ireland Kidd was diagnosed with Septo-Optic Dysplasia and Autism with no hope for improvement from local doctors.

Her mother tells of their comprehensive stem cell therapy journey with Beike stem cells and functional medicine provided at Better Being Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand. filmed during their second treatment.

Watch more videos

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.What is Autism?

A.

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by different social and behavioral symptoms. The exact cause of autism is still not fully understood. Genetics plays an important role, while developmental, biological and environmental factors are also being investigated. Children with autism usually manifest with a combination of both social and behavioral problems including reduced social and communication skills, repetitive or restricted behaviors (including stereotypical repetitive speech and movements), a strong preference for routines and difficulty with changes, and abnormal reactivity to different sensory stimuli (ex. noise and light) (1).

Autism may also be associated with additional features that can affect the child’s daily functioning, including irritability, aggressiveness, hyperactivity, insomnia, and different mood disorders such as depression or anxiety (1, 2, 4).

Research has also identified differences in immune and inflammatory signaling in some individuals with autism, although their exact role in causing or influencing symptoms remains under investigation (5, 9).

Autism commonly occurs alongside other medical and behavioral conditions that may affect daily functioning and quality of life, including gastrointestinal disturbance (ex. chronic constipation), metabolic disorders, sleep issues, seizures, nutritional problems and selective eating, and psychological disorders (2, 4).

Q.How Long Does it Take for Stem Cell Therapy for Autism to Work?

A.

Based on our patient follow-up experience, improvements are most often reported during the first 3-6 months, and in some patients may continue developing over the following year or longer. We have had parents notice a near-immediate difference or a noticeable difference within 2 weeks but should not be seen as typical or expected.

Q.What are the Current Treatments for Autism?

A.

Despite there being lots of advancements aiming at diagnosing autism earlier in order to allow prompt management and to provide a better quality of life for children and adults living with such a lifelong condition, there has not been much progress in treating its core features. Current treatments aim to improve communication, learning, adaptive functioning and quality of life, while also helping manage associated symptoms such as irritability, anxiety and hyperactivity. Commonly-used treatments include psychological and developmental therapies, educational support, speech and occupational therapy, nutritional support, and medications when clinically indicated (2, 3).

Psychotherapy/Behavioral Therapy These include different psychological and educational treatment approaches that aim to reinforce positive behaviors and develop communication, social, learning and daily-living skills. One commonly-used approach in autism is applied behavior analysis (ABA). ABA involves some psychological interventions that aim to reinforce positive behaviors through establishing a reward system and inhibiting undesired behaviors through establishing an active or a passive consequence. This process is repeated throughout the sessions in order to “shape” the autistic child’s behavior. It has been estimated that early behavioral and developmental interventions can improve communication, adaptive skills and other developmental outcomes, although the degree of benefit varies between children. However, these sessions take a long time to work and the degree of improvement differs from one child to another according to the severity of their autism (2, 3).

Pharmacotherapy (Medical Treatment) Medications might be used to manage associated symptoms or co-existing conditions, including aggressiveness, anxiety, hyperactivity, or irritability. Some commonly used drugs include:

• Antipsychotics (ex. risperidone and aripiprazole): These drugs have been shown to improve irritability associated with autism in some patients. However, they are commonly associated with multiple side effects that necessitate its use with extreme caution; especially given the age group they are used on (2).
• Antidepressants (ex. fluoxetine): Antidepressants may be used when autism is accompanied by conditions such as anxiety or depression, although evidence that they improve the core or repetitive symptoms of autism is mixed (2).
• ADHD medications (ex. Methylphenidate and atomoxetine): These may be beneficial in autistic children with co-existing ADHD symptoms, including hyperactivity, impulsivity and difficulty maintaining attention (2).

Nutritional Therapy Some families use dietary approaches such as ketogenic or gluten-free diets, particularly when gastrointestinal or nutritional problems are also present, although evidence for improving the core features of autism remains mixed. Additional use of supplements (ex. probiotics and antioxidants) has also shown some improvement in gastrointestinal or behavioral symptoms, but not in the core symptoms of autism, and the certainty of that evidence is limited (18, 19).

Of course there are other numerous treatments and medications that can benefit people with autism, which are not the main topic of this article; yet they all share one thing in common, which is that they are solely symptomatic in nature (they aim to improve different autistic features to a certain extent), with no role in addressing the original neurological abnormality leading to the autistic presentation. Stem cell therapy is therefore being investigated as a different biological approach, with potential effects on immune regulation, inflammation and neurotrophic signaling rather than simply managing individual symptoms (1, 2, 9).

Q.Which Stem Cells are the Best to Use to Treat Autism?

A.

To date, there has not been a single study, to our knowledge, that has compared different types of stem cells, concerning safety and efficacy, particularly in autism. There are currently many types of stem cells available to use in different conditions including embryonic stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells (ex. bone marrow and umbilical cord stem cells), hematopoietic stem cells, neural stem cells, as well as many other sources (9, 12, 13).

However, when looking at other similar neurodevelopmental disorders and at different stem cell therapy trials, the most feasible and safely-used stem cells that have been used and tested in autistic people and other neurological conditions include umbilical cord-derived samples, both cord blood and cord tissue, and bone marrow stem cells. These two types are among the most commonly studied sources in autism and have generally shown encouraging results and acceptable short-term safety in early clinical studies (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11).

We have also published clinical research investigating the combined use of two types of umbilical cord-derived cell products: umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) and umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMNCs). In this study, the group receiving both cell types showed greater improvements on several autism assessment measures than the group receiving cord blood cells alone, while maintaining a favorable safety profile. These findings contributed to the development of our current dual-type stem cell treatment approach (11).

Q.Which Stem Cells Do We Use to Treat Autism?

A.

At Beike Biotechnology, we use umbilical cord stem cells for autism, both umbilical cord-related mesenchymal and blood/hematopoietic samples donated from healthy mothers after a normal birth. As previously mentioned, our 2013 study reported larger improvements in the combined-cell group (11).

Q.When is the Optimum Timing for Stem Cell Therapy for Autism?

A.

Autism is generally diagnosed during early childhood. Most studies assessing the efficacy of stem cell therapy have used different age ranges and had patients starting from the age of 3, with no reported age-specific side effects (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10). Additionally, human brains continue developing even after birth until early childhood; and it has been proven that early intervention in different neurodevelopmental conditions, including autism, was associated with better developmental outcomes and quality of life (2, 3). For these reasons, and based on our clinical experience, we generally favor treatment during early childhood and early school age (3-7 years) to allow for the best results.

Clinical benefit is not 100% guaranteed as is the case with any intervention, and consulting our specialists prior to undergoing the procedure is of utmost importance in order to gain more insight on the procedure.

Q.What are the Possible Side Effects of Stem Cell Therapy for Autism?

A.

Like any medical treatment, stem cell therapy can have side effects. Many of the short-term reactions reported are similar to those that can occur after an IV infusion or injection, such as fever, headache, nausea, temporary discomfort, or an allergic or immune reaction. Intrathecal administration also involves a lumbar puncture and may cause temporary procedure-related symptoms such as headache, back discomfort, nausea or vomiting (5, 7, 10). Side effects reported specifically in clinical trials of stem cell therapy in autism include:

• Headaches
• Pain at the injection or puncture site
• Gastrointestinal disturbance, including nausea and vomiting
• Seizures, reported in some studies
• An initial increase in hyperactivity during the first three months after treatment, reported in some studies

None of the side effects reported in those trials were life-threatening, and most reported reactions were temporary and managed medically when they occurred (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 16). The section “Safety, Side Effects and Cell Quality Control” above describes the reactions recorded in the 2026 intrathecal Phase I trial, which is the closest published study to our own delivery route.

Q.Factors Affecting Response to Stem Cell Therapy for Autism

A.

Below is a summary of the factors that might influence a patient’s response to stem cell therapy, and how we at Beike Biotechnology address each factor to ensure that we provide you with the highest efficacy using the safest procedure possible.

• Dose/Number of stem cells: Cell dose may influence treatment response. At Beike Biotechnology, we administer an optimum dose of around 120-340 Million Cells (depending on the child’s weight and individual treatment plan) for autism (9).
• Route/Method of administration: How the cells are given may affect where they travel in the body and which tissues they can reach. The intravenous route provides systemic delivery (which causes stem cells to go to other organs than the brain before reaching the brain), while intrathecal injection (through lumbar puncture directly within the brain’s CSF) places cells directly into the cerebrospinal fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. No study in autism has yet compared the two routes directly (5). At Beike Biotechnology, we use both intravenous and intrathecal routes concomitantly in order to obtain the maximal efficacy; while ensuring the least possible side effects or toxicity.
• Type of Stem Cells used: The type and source of stem cells may influence how they behave after treatment. As previously mentioned, both umbilical cord-based stem cell products, which we use at Beike Biotechnology, and bone marrow stem cells are among the most commonly studied cell sources in autism. Umbilical cord-based stem cells have shown a favorable safety profile and encouraging clinical results, although further controlled studies are needed (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11).
• Timing of stem cell transplantation: Early intervention is important in autism generally. Based on our clinical experience, we favor treatment during the early school years (around 3 to 7 years old), although an optimal age for stem cell therapy has not been established (2, 3, 9).
• Follow-up Time: In our follow-up experience, improvements are often reported from around three months and may continue developing over the following 6 to 12 months, although the timing varies considerably between patients. At Beike Biotechnology, even after discharge, we provide you with a full follow-up program beginning as early as one month and up to one year after transplantation. You have complete access to our professional team even after you leave our center.

Q.Is there an Age limit for Starting Stem Cell Therapy for Autism?

A.

• The optimal age range for starting stem cell treatment for autism is not definitively established, but early childhood, typically starting between the ages of 2 and 5 brings the best results.
• There is no proven upper age limit for starting stem cell treatment as it remains experimental for all age groups.
• Older children and adults may still benefit from improved social interaction, communication, and behavioral regulation, though research is ongoing (9).

Q.How does stem cell therapy for autism work?

A.

Stem cell therapy for autism utilizes stem cells’ regenerative and modulatory abilities to potentially influence neurological and immune factors associated with autism (9, 13).

The MSCs used in our treatment are multipotent cells with regenerative, immunomodulatory and signaling properties, meaning they can develop into several specialized cell types and, importantly, release biological signals that can influence surrounding tissues. The therapy aims at:

• Supporting nerve cells: MSCs release signaling molecules and growth factors that may support neuronal survival, repair and plasticity.
• Regulating inflammation: MSCs can modulate immune responses and may help regulate inflammatory activity associated with autism.
• Supporting the neural environment: Neurotrophic and vascular signaling may help create conditions that support brain function and development.

Clinical studies suggest improvements in areas like social interaction, communication, hyperactivity, and mood regulation, though results are varied. Research is ongoing to fully understand the therapy’s efficacy and safety (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11).

Q.Do Vaccines or other environmental factors cause Autism?

A.

There is no evidence that vaccines cause autism. Large population-based studies have found no increased autism risk following MMR vaccination (17).

Autism has a strong genetic component, while researchers are also studying how prenatal, perinatal and environmental factors may influence autism risk. For example, bisphenol A exposure is currently being studied to determine its impact as a causative factor in autism, although this does not establish BPA as a cause of autism in humans (1).

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Mohammad Alzogool

Medical Director

Beike's Medical Director, Dr. Mohammad Alzogool, is a physician-researcher with a background in ophthalmology and regenerative medicine. His research contributions span ophthalmology, regenerative medicine, artificial intelligence, medical imaging, and evidence-based clinical guidelines. He brings a strong scientific and clinical perspective to the evaluation of emerging regenerative therapies.

Full profile LinkedIn ResearchGate

Published March 23, 2017 Last updated October 5, 2026

Published research

Research on autism

Plain-language summaries of independent, peer-reviewed studies. Each one links to the original publication.

• Infusion of Human Umbilical Cord Tissue Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: 2020
• A Phase II Randomized Clinical Trial of Intravenous Umbilical Cord Blood Infusion for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: 2020
• Stem Cell Therapy for Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Evidence (Conference Abstract) 2026
• Three Repeated Intrathecal Injections of Allogenic Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Phase I Clinical Trial 2026
• Efficacy and Safety of Allogeneic Umbilical Cord Blood Mononuclear Cells in Children With Autism and Immune Dysregulation: 2026
• Human Umbilical Cord Blood Mesenchymal Stem Cells Ameliorate Autism-Like Behaviors in a Valproic Acid-Induced Mouse Model via the IGF-1/Akt Signaling Pathway: 2026
• Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cell-Based Therapies for Autism Spectrum Disorder: Emerging Evidence and Clinical Prospects 2026
• Sex-Specific Effects of Prenatal BPA Exposure on Neural Stem Cells and Autism Risk 2025

All 18 studies on autism

Medical References

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3. 3. Sandbank M, Bottema-Beutel K, Crowley LaPoint S, et al. Autism intervention meta-analysis of early childhood studies (Project AIM): updated systematic review and secondary analysis. BMJ. 2023;383:e076733. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2023-076733
4. 4. Micai M, Fatta LM, Gila L, et al. Prevalence of co-occurring conditions in children and adults with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews. 2023;155:105436. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105436
5. 5. Zhang Z, Wang G, Han F, et al. Efficacy and safety of allogeneic umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells therapy in children with autism spectrum disorder and immune dysregulation: a single-center, double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Stem Cell Research & Therapy. 2026;17:301. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13287-026-05091-5
6. 6. Dawson G, Sun JM, Baker J, et al. A Phase II Randomized Clinical Trial of the Safety and Efficacy of Intravenous Umbilical Cord Blood Infusion for Treatment of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The Journal of Pediatrics. 2020;222:164-173.e5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2020.03.011
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8. 8. Fekrat SMM, Sharma V, Prasad S, Gunturu S. Stem Cell Therapy for Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Evidence. European Psychiatry. 2026;69(Suppl 1):S534. Conference-supplement abstract. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13442071/
9. 9. Xu M, Zhang X, Liu Y, et al. Mesenchymal stem/stromal cell-based therapies for autism spectrum disorder: emerging evidence and clinical prospects. Journal of Translational Medicine. 2026;24:609. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-026-08030-3
10. 10. Khodadoust E, Zarafshan H, Nouri M, et al. Three repeated intrathecal injections of allogenic umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stromal cells in autism spectrum disorder: a Phase I clinical trial. Stem Cell Research & Therapy. 2026. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13287-026-05122-1
11. 11. Lv YT, Zhang Y, Liu M, et al. Transplantation of human cord blood mononuclear cells and umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells in autism. Journal of Translational Medicine. 2013;11:196. https://doi.org/10.1186/1479-5876-11-196
12. 12. Dominici M, Le Blanc K, Mueller I, et al. Minimal criteria for defining multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells. The International Society for Cellular Therapy position statement. Cytotherapy. 2006;8(4):315-317. https://doi.org/10.1080/14653240600855905
13. 13. Pittenger MF, Discher DE, Péault BM, Phinney DG, Hare JM, Caplan AI. Mesenchymal stem cell perspective: cell biology to clinical progress. npj Regenerative Medicine. 2019;4:22. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41536-019-0083-6
14. 14. Hum C, Poliwoda J, Lalu M, et al. Safety of intravascular administration of umbilical-cord-derived mesenchymal stromal cells: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Stem Cells Translational Medicine. 2026;15(6):szag029. https://doi.org/10.1093/stcltm/szag029
15. 15. Nguyen Thanh L, Nguyen HP, Ngo MD, et al. Outcomes of bone marrow mononuclear cell transplantation combined with interventional education for autism spectrum disorder. Stem Cells Translational Medicine. 2021;10(1):14-26. https://doi.org/10.1002/sctm.20-0102
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