Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Enhancing Cognitive Function in Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder - A Pilot fMRI Study
Key facts
- Who runs it
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
- Where
- Hong Kong1 site in 1 countryChoose a country to see its sites
- Trial code
- Status
- Recruiting
- People taking part
- 40 people, planned
- Starts
- 16 Nov 2026
- Expected to end
- 30 Sept 2027
- Type of study
- Interventional, 2 groupsOne group gets a sham (pretend) treatment, for comparison.
- Treatments tested
- Active-tDCS with computerized cognitive training
- Sham-tDCS with computerized cognitive training
- Record updated
- 12 November 2026
Who can take part
- Age
- 12 years to 21 years
- Sex
- Men only
- Healthy volunteers
- Cannot take part
The registry criteria, word for word
Show all 9 criteriaShow less
Who can take part
- 12-21 years old
- Score of 60 or above on an intelligence test
- Able to communicate in Chinese
- Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Who cannot take part
- Previous history of brain-stimulation-induced mental or psychological disorder
- Presence of metal or other types of implants
- Diagnosed with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD)
- Diagnosed with other neurological or psychiatric disorders
- Suffers from claustrophobia, or is unable to stay still in confined or narrow spaces
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?
This trial has no sites in United States.
It has sites in one country. Choose a country to see its sites.
About the trial
What the trial wants to find out
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a pervasive neurodevelopmental disorder that currently affects 1 in 32 children. ASD is characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and restricted, repetitive behaviors. For instance, people with ASD often show great difficulty in recognizing social cues and understanding others' emotions, as well as having a tendency to act inflexibly and inappropriately in social situations, all of which contribute to lifelong social and occupational dysfunctions.To date, there is no cure for ASD. Existing treatments are primarily behavioral or educational based. Although some treatments show positive therapeutic effects in reducing patients' core autistic symptoms, the interventions are often labor- and time-intensive. Recently, a non-invasive painless brain stimulation technique, "transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)," has received increasing interest in clinical settings as a potential tool for cognitive enhancement and neurorehabilitation for various cognitive dysfunctions. This study aims to examine the effectiveness of tDCS treatment combined with cognitive training for individuals with ASD. We will study the effect before and after treatment.
The 2 groups in the trial
- Active-tDCSTreatment being tested
For the active-tDCS condition, participants will receive a stimulation on the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, with ramp up and ramp down mode for 30 seconds, eliciting a tingling sensation on the scalp that fades over seconds.
Treatment: Active-tDCS with computerized cognitive training
- Sham-tDCSSham treatment, for comparison
For sham-tDCS condition, participants will receive an initial stimulation of a ramp up and ramp down mode for 30 seconds, eliciting a tingling sensation on the scalp. Then the stimulation will be discontinued.
Treatment: Sham-tDCS with computerized cognitive training
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?
Contact the study team: see the registry record → Contacts and Locations
Print a page for my doctorData and sources
- Registry record
- Listed on ClinicalTrials.gov.
- Fit questions
- Built from NCT07931781, who can take part
- Record updated
- 12 November 2026