Actively Recruiting
rTMS for Depression in Young Adults With Autism
Led by Centre for Addiction and Mental Health · Updated on 2026-03-19
80
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
313 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
The current clinical trial is focused on evaluating the efficacy of rTMS for treatment of depression in youth and young adults (hereafter called transition aged youth, TAY) with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The motivation to undertake the current efficacy study is driven by: (1) the substantial impact of depression on TAY with ASD (based on prevalence and contribution to disability/impairment); (2) lack of evidence-based treatments for depression in autism (there are no current trials rigorously evaluating any treatment for depression, i.e., psychotherapeutic, pharmacotherapeutic, brain stimulation); (3) rTMS has demonstrated efficacy in non-autistic individuals to improve symptoms of depression and may be better tolerated in youth than medication treatment; (4) a prior pilot rTMS study focused on treatment of executive function deficits in autism indicated that high frequency rTMS delivered using a rigorous randomized control trial (RCT) protocol can be feasibly implemented in TAY with autism, is well tolerated (mild to moderate adverse effects and low drop out), and has the potential to improve symptoms of depression.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
rTMS for Depression in Young Adults With Autism
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Fluent in English
- Diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder confirmed by a clinician with IQ 70 or higher
- Able to provide voluntary informed consent and explain key study elements
- Clinically stable with no changes in psychotropic medications or other therapies in the past 30 days
- Beck Depression Inventory-II score of 21 or higher sustained over two weeks
- Global Assessment of Function score 60 or below sustained over two weeks and/or Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales below adequate functioning at baseline
You will not qualify if you...
- History of substance use disorder (other than tobacco) within the past six months or positive urine drug screen
- Significant or unstable medical or neurological illness
- Metal implants, pacemaker, or claustrophobia preventing MRI scan
- Actively suicidal or high suicide risk
- History of seizures
- Taking benzodiazepines at doses equal to or greater than 2 mg Lorazepam or any anticonvulsant medication
- Prior treatment with rTMS
- Pregnancy
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M6J 1H4
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
V
Viviane Grassmann, PhD
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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