Testing brain stimulation to change social thinking activity in autism
Tests magnetic brain stimulation on social thinking brain activity in young adults with autism.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Modulating Temporoparietal Junction Mentalizing-Related Activity in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
Key facts
- Where
- Hartford, United StatesSee the site
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 18 and 35 years old?
Source: NCT06214065, who can take part
Where in United States
- Olin Neuropsychiatry Research Center (ONRC)Hartford, United StatesTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Yale University
- Trial code
- NCT06214065
- Record updated
- 27 March 2026
- Original description
The goal of this observational study is to test the modulation effect of different transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) on the neural network supporting our ability to create mental representations of others (also known as mentalizing) in young adults with autism. The main question it aims to answers is can stimulation of the right temporoparietal junction can change brain activity related to mentalizing during social interaction in the stimulation area and other brain areas connected to it. Researchers will compare results to a group of individuals without autism to see if the patterns of neural activity change are similar between the groups.Read full original descriptionShow less
Modulating Temporoparietal Junction Mentalizing-Related Activity in Autism Spectrum Disorder Using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
The goal of this observational study is to test the modulation effect of different transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) on the neural network supporting our ability to create mental representations of others (also known as mentalizing) in young adults with autism. The main question it aims to answers is can stimulation of the right temporoparietal junction can change brain activity related to mentalizing during social interaction in the stimulation area and other brain areas connected to it. Researchers will compare results to a group of individuals without autism to see if the patterns of neural activity change are similar between the groups.
Participants will undergo assessment of their clinical traits and social skills and baseline MRI scan. They will attend three additional visits that include TMS session and functional MRI scans before and right after TMS.
Inclusion: Estimated full-scale IQ>80; Right handed; Fluent in English; Individual can cooperate with all study's procedures; No history of neurological disorder (e.g. epilepsy) or neurosurgery; No major medical condition (e.g. cancer, heart failure); No history of significant head injury; No primary relatives with history of any neurological disorder with a potentially hereditary basis, including epilepsy or MS; No current use of medications with psychotropic (e.g., benzodiazepines) or anti- or pro-convulsants; No current substance use (determined by urine screen and breathalyzer in all visits); Negative urine pregnancy (women) test at time of MRI scans; No MR contra-indications (e.g. in-body metal implant, severe claustrophobia); No previous participation in our lab in a study including the Domino fMRI task; For ASD: Stable medication treatment 4 weeks prior to study enrollment; For Control Group: No current or history of psychiatric disorders, other than simple phobia, and/or primary relatives with ASD.
Exclusion: -.