Discerning the Abnormal Functional Connectivity Involving the Social Reciprocity Network in Autism Spectrum Disorder and the Impact of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Mitigating the Abnormalities
Christiana Care Health Services
Summary
There is no consensus regarding the neurological substrate underpinning ASD. The investigators describe the novel concept of "social reciprocity network" and hypothesize that aberrant connectivity/oscillatory patterns affecting this network contribute to the core deficits in ASD. The overarching goal of this trial is to explore abnormalities involving the neuronal connectivity and oscillatory patterns within the social reciprocity network and to elucidate the role of modulating this network via rTMS in improving the above measures and social cognition in ASD. Quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) coherence and spectral power analysis are reliable measures of neuronal connectivity and dynamics. The investigators aim to study the QEEG coherence/spectral power analysis to explore the neuronal dynamics affecting the social reciprocity network in ASD.
Description
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) encompasses a range of limitations in reciprocal and communicative milestones, leading to significant functional challenges throughout the lifespan. While there is no consensus regarding the neuroanatomical substrate underpinning ASD, there are two major schools of thought: a group of researchers have focused on abnormalities affecting the mirror neurons and other cortical areas involved in social reciprocity, while others have proposed a more widespread alteration in neuronal organization in this condition resulting in abnormal white matter trajectories leading…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 13–18 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion criteria 1\. Fulfilling the DSM-V criteria for ASD and confirmed by CARS2, HF Exclusion criteria 1. Patients with ASD exhibiting significant anxiety or contact avoidance, precluding them from cooperating with the procedure 2. Patients with a known diagnosis of seizures 3. Presence of any metallic implants or devices in the head or neck area 4. Pregnant women
Interventions
- Devicetranscranial magnetic stimulation
The investigators will deliver a type of high frequency rTMS known as intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS), 2400 stimulations per session, equally divided between the bilateral IPL and IFG.
Location
- Christiana CareNewark, Delaware