Social and Behavioral Associations With Prefrontal Photobiomodulation in Autism Spectrum
University of Texas at Austin
Summary
The investigators have previously shown that the administration of low-level infrared light is a safe and non-invasive procedure which improves cognition and emotion, as well as enhances brain metabolic activity. Based on previous studies, the investigators hypothesize that this methodology, called low-level light therapy or photobiomodulation, could be used to improve behavioral symptoms in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Description
The Gonzalez-Lima Laboratory at the University of Texas at Austin will be recruiting participants for a study investigating whether transcranial infrared light stimulation, or TILS, is beneficial for people diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The molecular target of TILS is cytochrome c oxidase, a mitochondrial enzyme which is crucial for oxygen utilization. People with ASD show impaired mitochondrial function (Siddiqui, Elwell, and Johnson, 2016), as well as alterations in the prefrontal cortex (Amaral, Schumann, and Nordahl, 2008), which plays a key neurological role in mediating…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 4–60 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Age between 4-60 years Exclusion Criteria: * Current pregnancy
Interventions
- DeviceTranscranial infrared light stimulation
Trancranial infrared light stimulation administered via light-emitting diodes
- DeviceSham
Identical to TILS, but with lights off
Location
- Seay Psychology Building, Room 3.304Austin, Texas