RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT06214065

Modulating Temporoparietal Junction Mentalizing-Related Activity in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

Modulating Temporoparietal Junction Mentalizing-Related Activity in Autism Spectrum Disorder Using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Sponsor

Yale University

Enrollment

80 participants

Start Date

Apr 3, 2024

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Summary

The goal of this observational study is to test the modulation effect of different transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) on the neural network supporting our ability to create mental representations of others (also known as mentalizing) in young adults with autism. The main question it aims to answers is can stimulation of the right temporoparietal junction can change brain activity related to mentalizing during social interaction in the stimulation area and other brain areas connected to it. Researchers will compare results to a group of individuals without autism to see if the patterns of neural activity change are similar between the groups. Participants will undergo assessment of their clinical traits and social skills and baseline MRI scan. They will attend three additional visits that include TMS session and functional MRI scans before and right after TMS.

Eligibility

Min Age: 18 YearsMax Age: 35 Years

Inclusion Criteria15

Estimated full-scale IQ\>80
Right handed
Fluent in English
Individual can cooperate with all study's procedures
No history of neurological disorder (e.g. epilepsy) or neurosurgery
No major medical condition (e.g. cancer, heart failure)
No history of significant head injury
No primary relatives with history of any neurological disorder with a potentially hereditary basis, including epilepsy or MS
No current use of medications with psychotropic (e.g., benzodiazepines) or anti- or pro-convulsants
No current substance use (determined by urine screen and breathalyzer in all visits)
Negative urine pregnancy (women) test at time of MRI scans
No MR contra-indications (e.g. in-body metal implant, severe claustrophobia)
No previous participation in our lab in a study including the Domino fMRI task
For ASD: Stable medication treatment 4 weeks prior to study enrollment
For Control Group: No current or history of psychiatric disorders, other than simple phobia, and/or primary relatives with ASD

Exclusion Criteria1

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Interventions

DIAGNOSTIC_TESTfMRI

fMRI will be performed pre- and post-rTMS

DEVICErTMS

TMS procedures are scheduled during study sessions 2-4 between the two MRI scans on those days. Because rTMS induces neural changes that last about 1 hour, rTMS will be applied immediately before the second MRI scan on each day. Prior to the TMS visits, target coordinates and orientation vectors will be generated from the MRI data and the e-field models and loaded into Localite along with the participant's reconstructed T1 image. During the visits, the participant's head will be co-registered to the T1 using fiducial points at the Nasion and Tragi. TMS pulses will be delivered, using the Localite software to target and track the optimal orientation calculated with e-field modeling.