Actively Recruiting
Modulating Temporoparietal Junction Mentalizing-Related Activity in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
Led by Yale University · Updated on 2026-03-27
80
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
182 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
Y
Yale University
Lead Sponsor
N
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
The goal of this observational study is to test the modulation effect of different transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) on the neural network supporting our ability to create mental representations of others (also known as mentalizing) in young adults with autism. The main question it aims to answers is can stimulation of the right temporoparietal junction can change brain activity related to mentalizing during social interaction in the stimulation area and other brain areas connected to it. Researchers will compare results to a group of individuals without autism to see if the patterns of neural activity change are similar between the groups. Participants will undergo assessment of their clinical traits and social skills and baseline MRI scan. They will attend three additional visits that include TMS session and functional MRI scans before and right after TMS.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Modulating Temporoparietal Junction Mentalizing-Related Activity in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Estimated full-scale IQ >80
- Right handed
- Fluent in English
- Individual can cooperate with all study's procedures
- No history of neurological disorder (e.g., epilepsy) or neurosurgery
- No major medical condition (e.g., cancer, heart failure)
- No history of significant head injury
- No primary relatives with history of neurological disorder with potentially hereditary basis, including epilepsy or MS
- No current use of psychotropic or anti- or pro-convulsant medications
- No current substance use (determined by urine screen and breathalyzer in all visits)
- Negative urine pregnancy test at time of MRI scans for women
- No contraindications to MRI (e.g., in-body metal implant, severe claustrophobia)
- No previous participation in this lab's study including the Domino fMRI task
- For ASD participants: Stable medication treatment 4 weeks before enrollment
- For control group: No current or history of psychiatric disorders other than simple phobia, and no primary relatives with ASD
You will not qualify if you...
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Olin Neuropsychiatry Research Center (ONRC)
Hartford, Connecticut, United States, 06106
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
M
Michal Assaf, MD
CONTACT
V
Vaughn R Steele, MD
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
DOUBLE
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Model
CROSSOVER
Primary Purpose
OTHER
Number of Arms
2
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