This study will evaluate the effects of repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) on neural and behavioral facets of social cognition in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Participant visits will include a baseline assessment of neuropsychological, cognitive and behavioral function, and an EEG (electroencephalogram) and eye-tracking session to measure neural and visual attentional social response before and after administration of TMS.
Broad ranging social cognition difficulties are hallmark areas of impairment in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and they are subserved by specific neural systems underpinning social perception and processing that are recognized to be atypical in ASD. Considering the neurodevelopmental nature of the disorder, and the recent findings regarding aberrant neuroplasticity in ASD, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) holds promise to directly modulate brain activity in these systems. The objective of this research proposal is to utilize a multimodal approach to provide a proof-of-concept for the ability of rTMS to (a) influence functioning in the brain systems involved in social ASD symptomatology and (b) modify associated social cognitive behaviors in adults with ASD. Toward achieving this objective, we propose to assess critical aspects of social cognition using the electroencephalogram (EEG), event-related potentials (ERPS), eye-tracking (ET), and behavioral tasks prior to and following a single rTMS session to provide preliminary insight into the potential of rTMS as a tool to modify social brain function in cognitively able adults with ASD.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
100
Subjects will receive both active and sham TMS in a randomized crossover assignment involving two study sessions
Yale University
New Haven, Connecticut, United States
right lateralized N170 latency to upright faces
EEG brain response to faces as measured by the N170 component in milliseconds
Time frame: Measures will be recorded for the duration of their visit, an expected average of 4-5 hrs.
proportion of visual attention to the eye region of the face
visual attention to the eye region of the face as measured by eye tracking in seconds
Time frame: Measures will be recorded for the duration of their visit, an expected average of 4-5 hrs.
The Benton Face Recognition Task
The total Benton score will be used to assess the ability to recognize and discriminate among faces
Time frame: Measures will be recorded for the duration of their visit, an expected average of 4-5hrs
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