Autism Spectrum Disorders: Double Blind Randomized Placebo-control Active Pilot Study of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Applied to the Superior Temporal Sulcus

Launched by ASSISTANCE PUBLIQUE - HÔPITAUX DE PARIS · Jun 19, 2020

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new treatment approach for young men with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to see if it can help improve their social interactions, particularly how they perceive eye contact. The researchers will use a method called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), which involves applying a magnetic field to a specific area of the brain known to be involved in social behavior. Participants will receive this treatment over 10 sessions while researchers measure changes in their social perception using eye-tracking technology.

To be eligible for this study, participants need to be male, aged between 18 and 25, and diagnosed with ASD. They must also be able to undergo an MRI scan and have signed consent from themselves or their legal guardian. However, individuals with certain medical conditions, such as epilepsy or those taking specific medications, cannot participate. Those who join the trial can expect to receive TMS treatment and be closely monitored to see how it affects their social skills. This research could lead to new ways to support individuals with ASD in improving their social interactions.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Male or female patient diagnosed with ASD according to DSM-V and ADI-R
• • Patient aged 17 to 25
• • Patient apt to undergo an MRI
• • Patient affiliated with a social security system or beneficiary of such system
• • Informed consent signed by the patient or his legal guardian.
• Exclusion Criteria :
• • Presence of a somatic pathology
• • Presence of a neurological pathology
• • Presence of epilepsy, history of seizure.
• • Initiation, discontinuation or modification of neuroleptics or benzodiazepines treatment in the previous month
• • Contraindication to MRI (pacemaker, intracorporeal metallic foreign body, metal worker)
• • Contraindication to the use of TMS (epilepsy and family epilepsy, presence of craniotomy scar, pacemaker or pacemaker, intraocular or intracerebral metallic foreign body, cochlear implant, cardiac valve or metallic surgical arterial material, metallic material capable of concentrating radio frequency pulses)
• • Pregnancy and breast-feeding
• • Participation in another pilot study or clinical trial that does not allow participation in this protocol.