Actively Recruiting
rTMS to Improve Motor Function in Autism
Led by Centre for Addiction and Mental Health · Updated on 2025-11-14
150
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
270 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
In the current project, investigators have two main goals: i) Testing whether an excessive plasticity, i.e. hyperplasticity in the motor cortex underlies motor function difficulties in autistic adults, and ii) Using repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) with autistic adults to examine whether resulting reduced hyperplasticity in the motor cortex will be associated with clinical improvements in the motor function.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
rTMS to Improve Motor Function in Autism
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Aged between 18 and 40 years old
- IQ above 70
- Able to read, write, and communicate effectively in English
- Able to provide informed consent
- No prior history of seizure
- Willing to sign and date the informed consent form
- Willing to comply with all study procedures
- Agree to avoid alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and caffeine on study visit days
- For autistic participants: confirmed DSM-5 diagnosis of ASD without intellectual disability
- For autistic participants: significant motor function difficulties defined by a composite score below 40 on motor proficiency tests
- For autistic participants: clinically stable with no medication changes in the past 4 weeks
- Participants with left, right, or mixed handedness are eligible
You will not qualify if you...
- Current pregnancy
- Current or past urgent medical conditions requiring intervention
- Substance use disorder (other than tobacco) within past 6 months
- Significant hearing or visual impairments affecting ability to follow instructions
- Serious medical or neurological illnesses such as encephalitis, aneurysms, tumors, or infections
- Acute or unstable medical illnesses as determined by physician
- Metal implants or pacemaker
- Prior rTMS treatment
- For autistic participants: current use of benzodiazepines or anticonvulsants
- For neurotypical controls: presence of psychopathology other than specific phobia
- For neurotypical controls: known ASD or pervasive developmental disorder in biological family members
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Center for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M6J 1H4
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
P
Pushpal Desarkar, MD
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
Not the Right Trial for You?
Explore thousands of other clinical trials that might be a better match.
Sign up to get personalized trial recommendations delivered to your inbox.
Already have an account? Log in here