NCT06645587

Targeting Repetitive Behaviors in Autism Spectrum Disorder Via Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Understanding and Targeting Repetitive Behaviors and Restricted Interests in Autism Spectrum Disorder Via High-Definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 78 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Bambino Gesù Hospital and Research Institute · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 8 Years – 13 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Repetitive behaviors (RBs) are a prevalent feature of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). There are two groups of RBs: lower-order (e.g. motor stereotypies) and higher-order RBs (e.g. restricted interests), linked to sensory-motor and the associative loops, respectively. To date, treatment options for RBs are very limited. High-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) may be effective in reducing the impact of RBs in children with ASD by targeting the associated brain alterations. Moreover, the high focality of HD-tDCS will help the investigators to disentangle the relative contribution of different brain loops (namely, sensory-motor and the associative loops) into RBs subtypes. The investigators will also study the electrophysiological patterns associated to behavioral changes after the application of HD-tDCS.

Detailed description

The experimental design will be the following: randomized, three-arm, between subject, double blind, and placebo-controlled. Children and adolescents with ASD will be selected and randomly assigned to three groups: 1. Active high-definition tDCS (HD-tDCS) over pre-SMA; 2. Active high-definition tDCS (HD-tDCS) left DLPFC; 3. Sham high-definition tDCS (HD-tDCS). In this project, the investigators will work to understand whether a brain-based intervention, with the use of HD-tDCS can enhance RBs in individuals with ASD. The protocol will allow the investigators to: 1. Test if Active high-definition tDCS (HD-tDCS) compared to sham HD-tDCS will contribute in reducing RBs 2. Test if HD-tDCS over pre-SMA cortex will decrease lower-order RBs, while HD-tDCS over dlPFC will decrease higher-order RBs 3. Test if the Active Groups will significantly improve in the remaining psychological measures compared to the Sham Group 4. Test if the Active Groups will change in the RBS-R total score will be significantly correlated with changes in neuropsychological and electroencephalographic (EEG) connectivity measures 5. Test if the Active Groups will change in the RBS-R total score will be significantly correlated with changes in the remaining psychological measures and parental stress. The overarching goal is to provide a scientific foundation for devising new rehabilitation strategies in ASD.

Conditions

• Autism Spectrum Disorder

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DEVICE	Active HD-tDCS over pre-SMA	Active cathodal HD-tDCS over pre-SMA cortex will be delivered for 10 days (3 sessions per week). The 4 × 1 montage using small circular electrodes (diameter 1 cm) will be applied with the cathode placed centrally over Fz. The current intensity will be set at 0.5 mA for a total of 20 minutes (30 s ramp up/down).
DEVICE	Active HD-tDCS over left DLPFC	Active cathodal HD-tDCS over left DLPFC cortex will be delivered for 10 days (3 sessions per week). The 4 × 1 montage using small circular electrodes (diameter 1 cm) will be applied with the cathode placed centrally over F3. The current intensity will be set at 0.5 mA for a total of 20 minutes (30 s ramp up/down).
DEVICE	Sham HD-tDCS	Sham HD-tDCS will be delivered over pre-SMA or left-dlPFC cortex for 10 days (3 sessions per week). The same electrodes placement as well as the stimulation set-up will be used as in the active stimulation conditions, but the current will be applied for 30 s and will be ramped down (0 mA) during the rest of the session without the participants awareness. Each Sham session will last 20 minutes.

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-10-03
• Primary completion: 2026-01-01
• Completion: 2026-04-01
• First posted: 2024-10-17
• Last updated: 2024-10-17

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Italy