Effects of Multiple-Session Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on Behavioral, Physiological, and Electrophysiological Measures With Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Status: Recruiting
Location: See location...
Intervention Type: Device, Behavioral
Study Type: Interventional
Study Phase: Not Applicable
SUMMARY

The purpose of this clinical trial is to investigate the effects of multiple sessions of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) delivered while participants complete tasks that target social learning with high functioning adults with ASD and/or high traits of ASD. The main question it aims to answer is: What are the effects of multiple sessions of active compared to sham tDCS, with tDCS simultaneously paired with social learning tasks, from employing a within-subject, cross-over randomized controlled trial design? Participants will: * Complete a randomly assigned block of 5 sessions of active and a block of 5 sessions of sham tDCS, with a four-week break occurring between the two blocks. * Complete social learning tasks simultaneously during receipt of tDCS at each session (whether receiving active or sham tDCS). * Complete behavioral, physiological, and electrophysiological testing before and after each block of active or sham tDCS. * Complete a social validity questionnaire after completion of the study.

Eligibility
Participation Requirements
Sex: All
Minimum Age: 18
Maximum Age: 35
Healthy Volunteers: f
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• Age 18-35 years

• Proficient in English

• Classification of autism or autism spectrum disorder on Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale, 2nd Edition (ADOS-2) or score of \>= 17 on Autism Quotient (AQ)

• Good or corrected vision and hearing

• Right-handed based on the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory

• Score of \>= 85 on Shipley-2

Locations
United States
New Mexico
University of New Mexico
RECRUITING
Albuquerque
Contact Information
Primary
Joan Esse Wilson, Ph.D.
joanwilson@unm.edu
575-646-4313
Time Frame
Start Date: 2025-03-04
Estimated Completion Date: 2025-12-31
Participants
Target number of participants: 20
Treatments
Experimental: Anodal tDCS + Social Learning
In this arm, participants will undergo 5 sessions of 30 minutes anodal tDCS combined with social learning tasks on consecutive weekdays.
Sham_comparator: Placebo anodal tDCS + Social Learning
In this arm, participants will undergo 5 sessions of 30 minutes placebo anodal tDCS combined with social learning tasks on consecutive weekdays.
Related Therapeutic Areas
Sponsors
Leads: University of New Mexico
Collaborators: National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)

This content was sourced from clinicaltrials.gov