NCT06821646Enrolling by invitation
Investigating the Brain's Physiological Responses in Depression and Autism, Using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Electroencephalography
Social Cognition in Major Depression and Autism Spectrum Disorder: Cortical Excitatory-inhibitory Imbalance and Neuromechanism
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Last updated 12 Jan 2026
Brief summary (registry, in English)
The goal of this observational study is to investigate the brain physiological responses in depression and autism. The main questions aim to answer are: 1. Comparing the ratios of cortical excitation and inhibition among four groups: autism group, autism with depression group, depression group, and normal control group using Transcranial magnetic stimulation and electroencephalography (TMS-EEG). This study explores the relationship between the ratios of cortical excitation and inhibition and the severity of clinical symptoms. 2. Comparing the brain inflammation among four groups: autism group, autism with depression group, depression group, and normal control group using Positron emission tomography (PET). This study investigates the relationship between brain inflammation and the severity of clinical symptoms. 3. The mutual influence between the severity of brain inflammation and Excitatory/inhibitory imbalance (E/I imbalance). Participants will receive clinical assessment, neurocognitive function tests, TMS-EEG, gamma oscillation, and PET examinations.
- Status (registry)
- Enrolling by invitation
- Study type
- Observational
- Enrollment
- 160 (estimated)
- First submitted
- 3 Feb 2025
- Start date
- 28 May 2024
- Primary completion date
- 31 Dec 2026
- Lead sponsor
- National Taiwan University Hospital
- Diseases
- Depression, Autism
- NCT number
- NCT06821646
What you commit to
- Study type: Observational
- Planned participants: 160
- From 28 May 2024 to the primary completion date, 31 Dec 2026
- 1 site in 1 country
- Visits and tests: ask the trial team, the registry does not list them
Built from the registry fields of ClinicalTrials.gov. It describes the study, not your situation.
Who cannot take part
Copied verbatim from ClinicalTrials.gov and grouped by topic. Only the trial team decides who can take part.
Prior treatment
- Previously diagnosed with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or substance use disorder according to DSM-IV.
- Previously suffered from major medical or neurological diseases.
- Previously undergone or soon to undergo brain surgery, or have metal implants in the head or neck area, such as neuro-stimulators or cochlear implants.
- Taking medications that may affect Excitatory/inhibitory balance (E/I balance).
Other illness
- Brain structural abnormalities (e.g., brain tumor or arteriovenous malformations) or neurological diseases (e.g., meningitis, encephalitis, stroke, or epilepsy).
- Have a cardiac pacemaker.
- Other conditions that render the patient unable to cooperate, such as unsuitability after screening, unstable physical illness, or refusal to sign the informed consent.
Other
- Pregnant participants.
- Participants with strong suicidal intentions.
- Claustrophobia, unable to undergo positron emission tomography(PET) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans.
Who the study is looking for
- Autism group : Adults aged 20-50 diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder。Intelligence Quotient(IQ) \> 70, with autonomous abilities.
- Autism group with comorbid depression : Adults aged 20-50 diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Diagnosed with depression. IQ \> 70. Not on antidepressants for at least one week, with autonomous abilities.
- Major depression disorder group : Adults aged 20-50. Diagnosed with major depressive disorder according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV-TR(DSM-IV-TR). IQ \> 70. Not on antidepressants for at least one week, with autonomous abilities.
- Typically developing control group : Adults aged 20-50. Never diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Never diagnosed with depression. IQ \> 70, with autonomous abilities.
Age in the registry: 20 years to 50 years · Sex: All · Accepts healthy volunteers
Sites (1)
Sites in registry order. Pick your city on the disease page to sort them by distance.
| Site | City | Country | Site status |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Taiwan University Hospital Coordinator of this site? Confirm its status | Taipei | Taiwan | Unknown status |
This page is information, not medical advice. Discuss any trial with your doctor.