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NCT Number: NCT04242355

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Neural and Behavioral Facets of Social Cognition in Autism Spectrum Disorder

This study will evaluate the effects of repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) on neural and behavioral facets of social cognition in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Participant visits will include a baseline assessment of neuropsychological, cognitive and behavioral function, and an EEG (electroencephalogram) and eye-tracking session to measure neural and visual attentional social response before and after administration of TMS.

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This study is active but is not currently recruiting participants.

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Key information

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder Child Development Disorders, Pervasive Mental Disorders Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Age range

18 year–40 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Yale University

New Haven, Connecticut, 06520, United States

About this study

Broad ranging social cognition difficulties are hallmark areas of impairment in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and they are subserved by specific neural systems underpinning social perception and processing that are recognized to be atypical in ASD. Considering the neurodevelopmental nature of the disorder, and the recent findings regarding aberrant neuroplasticity in ASD, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) holds promise to directly modulate brain activity in these systems. The objective of this research proposal is to utilize a multimodal approach to provide a proof-of-concept for the ability of rTMS to (a) influence functioning in the brain systems involved in social ASD symptomatology and (b) modify associated social cognitive behaviors in adults with ASD. Toward achieving this objective, we propose to assess critical aspects of social cognition using the electroencephalogram (EEG), event-related potentials (ERPS), eye-tracking (ET), and behavioral tasks prior to and following a single rTMS session to provide preliminary insight into the potential of rTMS as a tool to modify social brain function in cognitively able adults with ASD.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • individuals between the ages of 18 and 40 years old with typical development or with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder.
  • able to participate in an EEG and eye-tracking experiment

Exclusion criteria

  • Participants reporting significant head trauma or serious brain illness
  • Participants with major psychiatric illness that would preclude completion of study measures.
  • Participants with a history of serious medical illness, stroke, seizures, epileptiform EEG abnormalities, or family history of seizures.
  • Participants taking prescription medications that may affect cognitive processes under study.
  • Participants who have taken alcohol or recreational drugs within the preceding 24 hours.
  • Females of known/suspected pregnancy or who test positive on a pregnancy test.
  • Participants with a history of metalworking or injury by shrapnel or metallic objects are also exclude

Treatment and study plan

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

Behavioral

Subjects will receive both active and sham TMS in a randomized crossover assignment involving two study sessions

Primary outcomes

  1. right lateralized N170 latency to upright faces

    Time frame: Measures will be recorded for the duration of their visit, an expected average of 4-5 hrs.

    EEG brain response to faces as measured by the N170 component in milliseconds

Secondary outcomes

  1. proportion of visual attention to the eye region of the face

    Time frame: Measures will be recorded for the duration of their visit, an expected average of 4-5 hrs.

    visual attention to the eye region of the face as measured by eye tracking in seconds

  2. The Benton Face Recognition Task

    Time frame: Measures will be recorded for the duration of their visit, an expected average of 4-5hrs

    The total Benton score will be used to assess the ability to recognize and discriminate among faces

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Yale University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effects of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Neural and Behavioral Facets of Social Cognition in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Acronym: TMSinASD

Important dates

Study start
2019
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2027
First posted
Jan 27, 2020
Registry last updated
Feb 4, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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