Noninvasive Brain Stimulation to Treat Core Social Deficits in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Yale University
Summary
This is a randomized interventional study designed to evaluate the effects of repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) on neural and behavioral facets of social cognition in adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Description
The primary objective of this study is to determine whether rTMS increases the brain response to faces in a population of adults with ASD. This study will assess critical aspects of social cognition using the electroencephalogram (EEG), event-related potentials (ERPS), and eye-tracking (ET) prior to and following a single rTMS session (or Sham) to provide preliminary insight into the potential of rTMS as a tool to modify social brain function in this population. Participant visits will include a baseline assessment of neuropsychological, cognitive and behavioral function, and a pre and post T…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–40 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * Individuals between the ages of 18 and 40 years old with typical development or with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. * Individuals able to participate in an EEG and eye-tracking experiment. Exclusion Criteria: * Participants reporting significant head trauma or serious brain illness. * Participants with major psychiatric illness that would preclude completion of study measures. * Participants with a history of serious medical illness, stroke, seizures, epileptiform EEG abnormalities, or family history of seizures. * Participants taking prescription medications…
Interventions
- BehavioralTranscranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
Subjects will receive both active and sham TMS in a randomized crossover assignment involving two study sessions
Location
- Yale University Child Study CenterNew Haven, Connecticut