Actively Recruiting
Effects of Multiple-Session Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) Combined With Social Learning Tasks on Behavioral and Brain Measures in Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Led by University of New Mexico · Updated on 2026-01-16
20
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
52 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
U
University of New Mexico
Lead Sponsor
N
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are studying the effects of multiple sessions of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) paired with social learning tasks on adults aged 18 to 35 who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or high traits of autism. The study aims to compare the effects of active versus sham tDCS on behavioral, physiological, and brain activity measures, using a randomized controlled trial with a crossover design. The goal is to improve social communication and social alignment, which are often impaired in autistic adults. Participants will complete two blocks of sessions: one block of five daily sessions with active anodal tDCS over the right temporoparietal junction (rTPJ) combined with social learning tasks, and another block of five daily sessions with sham tDCS and the same tasks. There is a four-week break between the two blocks. Social learning tasks include video modeling of social interactions, facial emotion detection, and empathy training. Throughout the study, participants will undergo behavioral, physiological, and electrophysiological testing before and after each block of stimulation. These tests assess emotional distress, social anxiety, social impairment, empathy, prosodic alignment, emotion expression, social learning, and quality of life. Participants will also complete a social validity questionnaire after finishing the study. The research team will monitor these outcomes to understand how tDCS paired with social tasks affects social functioning in adults with ASD.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Effects of Multiple-Session Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on Behavioral, Physiological, and Electrophysiological Measures With Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Age 18 to 35 years
- Proficient in English
- Diagnosed with autism or autism spectrum disorder on ADOS-2 or score of 17 or higher on Autism Quotient
- Good or corrected vision and hearing
- Right-handed based on Edinburgh Handedness Inventory
- Score of 85 or higher on Shipley-2 test
You will not qualify if you...
- No known loss of consciousness for more than 5 minutes
- No immediate biological family history of epilepsy or seizure disorder
- No major medical needs such as neurological disorders or long-term illness
- No surgically implanted metal above the neck (e.g., metal pins, cochlear implants)
- No hospitalization for depression, anxiety, or substance abuse in the past 12 months
- Not currently pregnant
- No pacemakers
- No history of neurological disorders such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, bipolar disorder, encephalitis, epilepsy, seizure disorder, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 2 weeks total (5 sessions per treatment block on consecutive weekdays)
Participants undergo two treatment blocks in a crossover design, each consisting of 5 consecutive weekday sessions of 30 minutes of either active anodal tDCS paired with social learning tasks or placebo anodal tDCS paired with social learning tasks.
10 visits (in-person, 5 visits per treatment block)
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States, 87131
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
J
Joan Esse Wilson, Ph.D.
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
DOUBLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
CROSSOVER
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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