Result of tDCS in ASD Children With Comorbidities Like PANDAS, Rare Genetic Diseases or Autoimmune Disorders

Launched by SPANISH FOUNDATION FOR NEUROMETRICS DEVELOPMENT · Apr 11, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This early-stage, randomized trial is testing whether adding a gentle brain stimulation treatment called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to usual autism therapies might help children who have autism along with rare genetic conditions or PANDAS. About 180 children will be randomly assigned to two groups: one group gets 100 sessions of tDCS over 12 months in addition to their usual treatments (like Risperidone when appropriate, plus educational, speech, and visual training), and the other group receives the usual therapies without tDCS. Assessments are done by a clinician who does not know which child is in which group, and researchers will look at changes in brain activity as well as attention, social skills, language, and visual engagement over the year.

Eligible children are typically ages about 6 to 15 years and have ASD or related conditions with certain genetic findings. Exclusions include epilepsy, certain brain injuries or infections, and some autoimmune or endocrine disorders. If eligible, families would participate at New Remedies in Liverpool, United Kingdom, with EEG brain tests and skill assessments conducted throughout the study (about every 25 sessions) over 12 months. The trial is currently enrolling by invitation, with safety oversight in place and completion expected around mid-2025.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Age between 7 and 15 years old
• • Diagnosis: PDD, ASD or PANDAS
• • Have genetic alterations with geneticist reports like: mutation, random mating between organisms, random fertilization or crossing over (or recombination) between chromatids of homologous chromosomes during meiosis.
• • Natural birth without caesarean or complications
• • Normal Pregnancy
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Head Trauma
• • Brain Injuries like meningitis or encephalitis, including SaRS, Herpes or MERS infections
• • Epilepsy
• • Rare Diseases with Auto-Immune Disease
• • Rare diseases with Endocrinology problems
• • Fever or Biochemical problems in the First Blood Test (First Visit)
• • Vaccines Reactions