Actively Recruiting

Phase Not Applicable
Age: 18Years - 35Years
All Genders
NCT06495684

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

Led by University of New Mexico · Updated on 2026-01-16

20

Participants Needed

1

Research Sites

172 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

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.

CONDITIONS

Official 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

Age: 18Years - 35Years
All Genders

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible

You may qualify if you...

  • Age 18 to 35 years
  • Proficient in English
  • Diagnosis of autism or autism spectrum disorder by 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
Not Eligible

You will not qualify if you...

  • No history of loss of consciousness longer than 5 minutes
  • No immediate family members with epilepsy or seizure disorder
  • No major medical conditions such as neurological disorders or long-term illness
  • No surgically implanted metal devices above the neck (e.g., metal pins, plates, cochlear implants, aneurysm clips, brain electrodes)
  • No hospitalization for depression, anxiety, or substance abuse in the past 12 months
  • Not currently pregnant
  • No pacemakers
  • No history of neurological disorders including stroke, multiple sclerosis, bipolar disorder, encephalitis, epilepsy, seizure disorder, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

AI-Screening

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Trial Site Locations

Total: 1 location

1

University of New Mexico

Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States, 87131

Actively Recruiting

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Research Team

J

Joan Esse Wilson, Ph.D.

CONTACT

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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