Actively Recruiting
Feasibility and Efficacy of rTMS in Depression in Patients With Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Led by Hospital Center Guillaume Régnier · Updated on 2025-12-02
25
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
61 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Depression is a common complication of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): it is four times more prevalent in people with ASD than in the general population. However, treating depression in people with ASD is complicated by the lack of guidelines. Antidepressants appear to be less effective and less well tolerated than in the general population. rTMS (repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation) is a technique that stimulates the brain in a painless and non-invasive way. This technique is well tolerated and has very few side effects (headaches, fatigue). It is now used routinely in clinical practice to treat resistant depression, with satisfactory results. A few studies using rTMS in depression in people with ASD have shown encouraging results and avenues for improvement. It could therefore be interesting to conduct a therapeutic study with rTMS on depression in people with ASD, following the avenues for improvement proposed by previous studies. The main objective is to evaluate the effectiveness of rTMS in depressed patients with ASD by looking at changes in mood before and after treatment. The investigator will also look at the effects on executive and attentional functions and repetitive behaviors, as well as treatment tolerance.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Feasibility and Efficacy of rTMS in Depression in Patients With Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder confirmed by a psychiatrist or equivalent
- Age between 18 and 65 years
- Experiencing major depressive episode with MADRS score greater than 20
- No change in depression treatment during the month before study inclusion
- Affiliated with or entitled to social security
- Provided informed consent to participate in the study
You will not qualify if you...
- Psychiatric comorbidities such as decompensated manic state or schizophrenic disorder
- Pregnancy at the time of inclusion
- Contraindications to rTMS or MRI, including history of epilepsy, neurological stimulators, pacemakers, cardiac defibrillators or prostheses, intracranial clips, cerebrospinal fluid shunts, metal fragments in the eyes, or claustrophobia
- Adults under legal protection (guardianship, curatorship, trusteeship), deprived of liberty, or hospitalized under compulsion
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Centre Hospitalier Guillaume Régnier
Rennes, France, 35000
Actively Recruiting
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NA
Model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
1
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