Effects of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) on Cognitive Functions and Behavior in Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder ( ASD)

Status: Completed
Location: See location...
Intervention Type: Device
Study Type: Interventional
Study Phase: Not Applicable
SUMMARY

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder with core symptoms that include impairments in social communication and restricted and repetitive behaviors, interests, and activities. Social cognition is a broad term used to understand, perceive, and interpret information about others and ourselves in a social context. Impairments in social cognition are often highlighted as a potential mechanism underlying social disability in autism spectrum disorder. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation is a noninvasive technique that modulates brain activity through targeted electromagnetic pulses. It's one of the methods used to deliver electrical stimuli through the scalp in conscious humans. Recently, rTMS has not only been used for the treatment of major depressive disorders, but it has also been advanced as a potential therapeutic technique to treat neurologic disorders such as Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and multiple sclerosis, and many other neuropsychiatric disorders. High-order cognitive functions, such as Executive function (EF) and social cognition, rely on neural network oscillations in the gamma frequency (30-80 Hz) band. It has been proposed that GABA-inhibitory interneurons in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) contribute to the synchronization of pyramidal neurons, which is necessary for EF performance. Additionally, given the theory of abnormal synaptic plasticity and excitation/inhibition ratio in ASD, as well as the ability of TMS to modify cortical excitability and plasticity, it leads to exploring the therapeutic potential of rTMS in ASD. This study examines the effectiveness of low-frequency rTMS in improving social, cognitive, and sensory function in individuals with ASD. Further understanding of the effect of low-frequency rTMS in altering the cognitive function in ASD individuals with ASD may help to achieve some answers related to the mechanism behind ASD.

Eligibility
Participation Requirements
Sex: All
Minimum Age: 5
Maximum Age: 11
Healthy Volunteers: f
View:

• Male and female ASD individuals

• age between 5 and 11 years old

• diagnosed with ASD on prior clinical assessment using the American Psychiatric Association's DSM-V criteria and corroborated by assessment using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS).

• Normal hearing ability based on past hearing screens.

• Participation will be limited to higher functioning (intelligence quotient \[IQ\] \>70) to maximize successful completion of tested paradigms, maintain alertness/attention, furthermore, the ability to follow instructions.

Locations
Other Locations
Saudi Arabia
Department of Physiology, Autism Research and Treatment Center (ARTC), King Saud University Medical City (KSUMC)/Collage of Medicine, King Saud University
Riyadh
Time Frame
Start Date: 2024-07-20
Completion Date: 2025-09-30
Participants
Target number of participants: 35
Treatments
Experimental: active rTMS group
Male and female ASD individuals aged between 5 and 11 years old who have been diagnosed with ASD. They should have a confirmed clinical diagnosis according to the DSM-5. This will be verified by a diagnostic report or direct communication with the diagnosing clinician. Also, with normal hearing based on past hearing screens. Exclusion criteria to ensure participant safety for the rTMS intervention and included: (1) a history of seizures or epileptiform activity; (2) the presence of any metallic implants within the cranium; (3) a history of significant head trauma or loss of consciousness; and (4) the presence of implanted electronic medical devices (e.g., pacemakers, cochlear implants). All participants in both study groups did not stop their medical or behavioral therapy for ASD. However, participants will be instructed to have a consistent medication regimen or behavioral treatment for at least one month before enrollment and throughout the trial.
No_intervention: wait-list-control group
Male and female ASD individuals aged between 5 and 11 years old who have been diagnosed with ASD. They should have a confirmed clinical diagnosis according to the DSM-5. This will be verified by a diagnostic report or direct communication with the diagnosing clinician. Also, with normal hearing based on past hearing screens. Exclusion criteria to ensure participant safety for the rTMS intervention and included: (1) a history of seizures or epileptiform activity; (2) the presence of any metallic implants within the cranium; (3) a history of significant head trauma or loss of consciousness; and (4) the presence of implanted electronic medical devices (e.g., pacemakers, cochlear implants). All participants in both study groups did not stop their medical or behavioral therapy for ASD. However, participants will be instructed to have a consistent medication regimen or behavioral treatment for at least one month before enrollment and throughout the trial.
Sponsors
Leads: King Saud University

This content was sourced from clinicaltrials.gov