RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT06495684

Effects of Multiple-Session Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on Behavioral, Physiological, and Electrophysiological Measures With Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Sponsor

University of New Mexico

Enrollment

20 participants

Start Date

Mar 12, 2024

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder Autism or Autistic Traits

Summary

The purpose of this clinical trial is to investigate the effects of multiple sessions of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) delivered while participants complete tasks that target social learning with high functioning adults with ASD and/or high traits of ASD. The main question it aims to answer is: What are the effects of multiple sessions of active compared to sham tDCS, with tDCS simultaneously paired with social learning tasks, from employing a within-subject, cross-over randomized controlled trial design? Participants will: * Complete a randomly assigned block of 5 sessions of active and a block of 5 sessions of sham tDCS, with a four-week break occurring between the two blocks. * Complete social learning tasks simultaneously during receipt of tDCS at each session (whether receiving active or sham tDCS). * Complete behavioral, physiological, and electrophysiological testing before and after each block of active or sham tDCS. * Complete a social validity questionnaire after completion of the study.

Eligibility

Min Age: 18 YearsMax Age: 35 Years

Inclusion Criteria6

Age 18-35 years
Proficient in English
Classification of autism or autism spectrum disorder on Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale, 2nd Edition (ADOS-2) or score of \>= 17 on Autism Quotient (AQ)
Good or corrected vision and hearing
Right-handed based on the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory
Score of \>= 85 on Shipley-2

Exclusion Criteria8

No known loss of consciousness for \> 5 minutes
No immediate biological family members with a history of epilepsy or seizure disorder
No major medical needs (e.g., neurological disorders such as a seizure disorder; long-term illness)
No surgically implanted metal above the neck (example: metal pins or plates, cochlear implants, aneurysm clips, brain electrodes)
No hospitalization for depression, anxiety, or substance abuse in the past 12 months
No individuals who are currently pregnant
No pacemakers
No history of neurological disorders such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, bipolar disorder, encephalitis, epilepsy, seizure disorder, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

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Interventions

DEVICEAnodal tDCS + Social Learning

Anodal tDCS lowers neuronal membrane potentials, leading to increased probability of depolarization from incoming stimuli.

BEHAVIORALPlacebo Anodal tDCS + Social Learning

Social learning tasks are completed on a computer and consist of viewing video modeling of social interactions, facial emotion detection practice, and videos for emotion and empathy learning.