NCT06946433

tDCS in Adults With ASD and/or ADHD Without Intellectual Disability

Ensayo clínico Fase 1 de tDCS en Adultos Con TEA y/o TDAH Sin Discapacidad Intelectual

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 25 (actual)
• Sponsor: Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron Research Institute · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn about the safety and tolerability of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with cognitive training in adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and/or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The main question it aims to answer is: Is tDCS safe and well-tolerated in adults with ASD and/or ADHD? Researchers will compare active tDCS to a sham (placebo-like) stimulation to evaluate safety and tolerability. Participants will: Receive either active or sham tDCS for 20 minutes daily over 10 consecutive workdays Undergo stimulation with the anode placed at F3 and the cathode at Fp2 Complete daily cognitive training exercises using the NeuronUP platform during stimulation Attend baseline and follow-up assessments to monitor for any side effects or discomfort related to the intervention

Conditions

• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Attention Deficit Disorder With Hyperactivity

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DEVICE	Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation - Active	This intervention involves non-invasive brain stimulation using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) delivered via saline-soaked sponge electrodes. The anode is placed at F3 (left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex) and the cathode at Fp2 (right frontopolar cortex), according to the international 10-20 EEG system. A 2 mA current is applied for 20 minutes per session, administered once daily on 10 consecutive workdays. During stimulation, participants engage in cognitive training using the NeuronUP platform, which provides structured, interactive tasks designed to train executive function, attention, and working memory. This combination aims to enhance neural plasticity by pairing neuromodulation with cognitive engagement.
DEVICE	Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation - Sham	The sham condition mimics the active setup but delivers only brief ramp-up/down stimulation, producing the initial sensation without sustained current.
BEHAVIORAL	Cognitive Training	The cognitive training intervention in this study is delivered through NeuronUP, a digital platform offering evidence-based cognitive stimulation activities. This intervention targets core cognitive domains such as working memory, attention, and executive function through personalized, interactive tasks. What distinguishes this approach is NeuronUP's extensive library of over 10,000 activities, its ability to tailor difficulty levels in real time based on individual performance, and the inclusion of functional tasks that mirror real-life scenarios. Unlike other interventions, NeuronUP also enables therapist-guided customization, allowing for individualized treatment plans that evolve with participant progress, ensuring both relevance and ecological validity.

Timeline

• Start date: 2022-11-07
• Primary completion: 2024-01-19
• Completion: 2024-01-19
• First posted: 2025-04-27
• Last updated: 2025-08-01

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Spain