Medial Prefrontal Cortex Brain Magnetic Stimulation in Autism
ConditionAutism Spectrum Disorder
Trial statusNot yet recruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18-45
SponsorNational Taiwan University Hospital
About this trial
Despite decades of research, no definitive, effective biological treatments exist for core symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Emerging evidence suggests that conventional Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) targeting the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex or posterior superior temporal sulcus may reduce repetitive behaviors, but its efficacy on social communication remains inconsistent.
Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (dTMS) allows for the stimulation of deeper brain structures. Deep social brain networks, such as the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), play a critical role in social cognition and mentalizing processes. Targeting the mPFC with dTMS holds potential for improving core impairments in social cognition among individuals with ASD. This pilot study aims to evaluate the efficacy of dTMS on social cognition, mPFC-related functional connectivity, and clinical symptoms (autism severity, stereotyped behaviors, sensory symptoms, and emotion regulation).
Eligibility criteria
Qualifiers
Having a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder based on DSM-5-TR diagnosis criteria
Aged 18-45 years old
No change of medications in the past three months
Disqualifiers
Comorbidity of schizophrenia, substance use disorder,
Had major medical diseases (e.g., malignancy, severe cardiac, hepatic, renal diseases, or active CNS or systemic infection) or major neurological disease (e.g., uncontrolled epilepsy, brain tumors or hemangioma, severe head trauma)
Contraindications of MRI or TMS procedure: Ferromagnetic material in the skull, head, and neck; claustrophobia; had received neurosurgery, etc.
Receiving electroconvulsive therapy or TMS in the past three months
Trial design
Treatments tested in this trial
- TMS
Treatment groups
20 Participants
are divided into 1 treatment groupSponsors and collaborators
Source ClinicalTrials.gov