Studying Effects of Repeated Prefrontal tDCS on Thinking and Social Skills in Teens With Autism Spectrum Disorder

What this Trial Is About

Autism spectrum disorder ASD is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by challenges in communication, social skills, and behavior. Researchers are evaluating the effects of transcranial direct-current stimulation tDCS, a non-invasive brain stimulation technique, to improve cognitive and social functions in adolescents with ASD. The study aims to understand how tDCS may affect brain mechanisms and assess if booster sessions can enhance and prolong benefits. Participants will receive either active or sham tDCS targeting the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, applied during executive function training tasks over 10 sessions within two weeks. The active stimulation involves 20 minutes of current, while the sham group experiences brief initial stimulation only. Responders will enter a six-month follow-up phase receiving randomized booster sessions of active or sham tDCS bi-monthly for three months, then monthly for another three months. During the trial, participants will be assessed using the Social Responsiveness Scale and neuropsychological cognitive tests at multiple time points up to 26 weeks. Researchers will monitor social responsiveness changes and clinical responses to tDCS. The study includes careful monitoring of cognitive and social improvements, with evaluations before, during, and after treatment to understand the lasting effects and safety of tDCS in ASD adolescents.

Cumulative and Booster Effects of Multisession Prefrontal tDCS in ASD Adolescents