Tests brain stimulation for thinking and social skills in autistic teens

AI summary

From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.

The trial is looking for teenagers and young adults with a confirmed diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. It tests brain stimulation (tDCS) on thinking and social skills.

Age

12 Years to 21 Years

Sex

All sexes can join.

Disease stage

Autism spectrum disorder confirmed by a clinical psychologist using DSM-V criteria and a structured interview with parents or caregivers (ADI-R).

Earlier treatment

People on psychiatric medication cannot join.

Main reasons for not taking part

• No diagnosis confirmed by a clinical psychologist
• History of other neurological or psychiatric disorders
• History of head trauma
• On psychiatric medication

The registry criteria, word for word

Check if you might fit

Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.

• Are you between 12 and 21 years old?YesNo

What the trial wants to find out

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by disturbances in communication, poor social skills, and aberrant behavior. To date, ASD has no known cure, and the disorder remains a highly disabling condition. Recently, transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS), a non-invasive brain stimulation technique, has shown great promise as a potentially effective and cost-effective tool for reducing the core symptoms in patients with autism, such as anxiety, aggression, impulsivity, and inattention. Although the preliminary findings in patients with ASD are encouraging, it remains to be determined whether this experimental data can translate into benefits in real life. Further studies are needed to determine the factors that can lengthen the therapeutic effects or cognitive benefits of tDCS, and to determine possible risk factors associated with relapse in patients with ASD. Booster sessions of tDCS is an important component of treatment planning and prognosis and may promote better outcomes to control for resurgence of symptoms. This study has three aims. First, the investigators aim to evaluate the therapeutic effects of tDCS on improving cognitive function in patients with ASD. Second, the investigators aim to better understand the neural mechanisms underlying the neuro-enhancing effects of tDCS in patients with ASD. Third, the investigators aim to assess the effectiveness of booster treatment cycles of tDCS for enhancing cognitive and social functions in individuals with ASD.

The 3 groups in the trial

• Active-tDCS vs Sham-tDCSTreatment being tested

  During the active- and sham-tDCS conditions, the participants will receive current with ramp up and ramp down mode for 10 seconds, eliciting a tingling sensation on the scalp that fades over seconds. Following that, the tasks will be initiated five minutes subsequent to the stimulation mode and terminated prior to its end for active-tDCS condition. Whereas, the sham condition with the same placement and intensity will only receive 30s initial stimulation and then discontinue. Throughout the active / sham-tDCS condition, participants are required to sit still and focus their attention on a "+" displayed on a computer monitor during the five-minute rest. After that, they will undergo active-tDCS (1mA, 20 min) to the left DLPFC or sham stimulation over 10 sessions in 2 weeks, while performing the executive function training tasks.

  Treatment: Active-tDCS and Sham-tDCS

• Crossover trialOther group

  Participants in the sham-tDCS group will receive 10-day active tDCS and assessments will be performed before and after the 10-tDCS session.

  Treatment: Active-tDCS

• Booster effectTreatment being tested

  All tDCS responders (\>10% reduction in SRS scores) will enrol on a 6 months follow-up phase in which they will be randomized to receive either bimonthly 20-minute booster tDCS sessions, or bimonthly 20-minute booster sham tDCS sessions for 3 months, followed by monthly 20-minute booster tDCS, monthly 20-minute booster sham tDCS, for another 3 months, with a maximum of 9 (sham) tDCS booster sessions.

  Treatment: Active-tDCS and Sham-tDCS