Clinical research at Cortica

The Cortica Innovation Network (CIN) is our team of researchers and physicians who conduct and support clinical neuroscience research. Their work deepens our understanding of autism and other neurodevelopmental differences, and it keeps our Whole Child model up to date with the latest breakthroughs in therapy and medical care.

Our research hubs are Cortica Marin in Northern California and Cortica Glendale in Southern California.

Research Interest Form

Studies enrolling now

Phelan McDermid Syndrome Study

The Koala Study

This Phase 3 study examines whether NNZ-2591, an investigational medication, can improve communication and daily living skills in children with Phelan McDermid syndrome.

Who can take part:

Ages 3 to 12 years
A diagnosis of Phelan McDermid syndrome with a documented SHANK3 genetic change
Body weight over 22 pounds (10 kg)

What is involved: 11 visits over 5 months, 5 at Cortica Marin or Cortica Glendale and 6 by telehealth. There is no cost to participate, families receive $100 for each on-site visit, and travel support is available for families outside California.

See Study Details Fill Out Interest Form

Autism and Irritability Study

The Starfish Study

This Phase 3 study examines whether KarXT + KarX-EC, an investigational medication, can reduce irritability, such as aggression, meltdowns and self-injury, in children and teens with autism.

Who can take part:

Ages 5 to 17 years (currently enrolling ages 13 to 17 years)
A diagnosis of autism with symptoms of irritability, such as aggression, meltdowns, tantrums or self-injury

What is involved: 14 visits over up to 15 weeks, 9 at Cortica Marin or Cortica Glendale and 5 by phone. There is no cost to participate, families receive $300 for each on-site visit and $50 for each phone visit, and travel support is available for families outside the area.

See Study Details Fill Out Interest Form

Accessibility

Studies in clinic, at home and remotely, skilled in-house phlebotomists (blood draw specialists) who make lab visits less stressful, and fair financial support for participants.

Inclusivity

Broad outreach, so that age, spoken language ability, cognitive ability, income and gender identity are never barriers to taking part.

Quality

The highest standards for recruitment, data collection and data analysis, in partnership with our participants and research partners.

Community

Drawing on the talents of the Cortica community and the wider neurodiversity community in pursuit of our mission.

Our principal investigators

Kevin Shapiro, MD, PhD
Co-Director, Cortica Innovation Network
A Harvard-trained pediatric neurologist and cognitive neuroscientist, Dr. Shapiro studies how learning and brain structure shape speech and language development. He is one of only a handful of board-certified pediatric stroke neurologists in the United States.
Elysa Marco, MD
Co-Director, Cortica Innovation Network
A cognitive and behavioral pediatric neurologist, Dr. Marco studies the genetics, brain anatomy and treatment of children with sensory processing differences, autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions. She has written more than 40 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters.

Meet our research team

Neil Hattangadi, MD
Co-Founder | Chief Executive Officer
Suzanne Goh, MD, BCBA
Co-Founder | Chief Medical Officer
Kelly Olvany
Clinical Trials Manager
Lauren Wolters
Lead Research Coordinator and Phlebotomist
Ellen Thovmasyan
Senior Research Coordinator
April Kang
Research Coordinator

Cortica’s Whole Child model leads to dramatically better outcomes

A recent study found that more therapy hours don’t guarantee success—personalized, whole child care does.

Cortica is one of the few autism care organizations with outcomes published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal, reflecting our commitment to evidence-based, transparent care.

Read the Study

Read the Study

Cortica Improvement
Rate vs Others

65% of children at Cortica improved across multiple areas of development—far surpassing outcomes from typical community programs.

Learn more about our work

Previous studies

Clinical outcomes studies

Research informing our model

Common questions about Cortica research

What research studies is Cortica enrolling for right now?

Cortica is enrolling for two studies. The Koala study is testing NNZ-2591, an investigational medication, in children ages 3 to 12 years with Phelan McDermid syndrome. The Starfish study is testing KarXT + KarX-EC, an investigational medication for irritability in autism, and is currently enrolling teens ages 13 to 17 years. Both studies take place at Cortica Marin and Cortica Glendale. Fill out our Research Interest Form and our team will contact you when a study may be a fit.

What conditions does Cortica research?

Our research focuses on autism and other neurodevelopmental differences. Cortica sites have taken part in studies for autism (including irritability and social communication), ADHD, Tourette syndrome and tics, Fragile X syndrome, Phelan McDermid syndrome and sensory processing differences. See our previous studies.

Who leads research at Cortica?

The Cortica Innovation Network is co-directed by pediatric neurologists Kevin Shapiro, MD, PhD, and Elysa Marco, MD, who serve as principal investigators. They work with a team of research coordinators, phlebotomists and Cortica physicians.

Where does Cortica do its research?

Our research hubs are Cortica Marin in Northern California and Cortica Glendale in Southern California. Depending on the study, some visits can happen by phone or video, but families cannot take part fully from home.

Does it cost anything to take part in a study?

No. Medical visits and medications in the context of research are provided to families at no cost. Families are also paid for their time and travel, and travel support is available for families who live farther away. Each study page lists its own details.

Does my child need to be a Cortica patient to join a study?

No. All of our studies are open to children who are not Cortica patients. Each study page lists who can take part, and our research team can tell you whether your child may qualify.

How do I find out if my child can join a study?

Fill out our Research Interest Form. A member of our research team will review it and contact you about studies that may be a fit.

How does research shape the care my child receives?

What we learn from research informs our Whole Child model, so children benefit from the latest breakthroughs in therapy and medical care. Cortica is one of the few autism care organizations with outcomes published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal. Read our clinical outcomes studies.

Clinical research at Cortica