Overview
This study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of pBFS-guided TMS treatment for the core symptom in autism spectrum disorder children, adolescents and young adults.
Description
Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social communication and repetitive behaviors. Broad cognitive control function deficit in ASD suggested cognitive control function as a potential phenotype and treatment target. Using the personalized Brain Functional Sectors (pBFS) technique, investigators could precisely identify individualized brain areas underlying cognitive control function based on the task free functional MRI data. The tailored TMS intervention target to cognitive control function network which located in the left dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) will be selected for each participant by a blinded researcher.
The participants will be equally randomized to the active iTBS to the cognitive control function network, and sham iTBS at a ratio of 2:1. Each participant will receive 5 days of treatment per week for 12 weeks. Functional MRI data under sedation will be collected pre-and post-treatment. Three behavioral evaluations will be taken pre-treatment, after 8-weeks treatment and after 12-weeks treatment.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Nearest age 6-30 years old
- Have the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder
- ADOS-2 score is higher than the ASD cut-offs
- Capacity to follow the study procedures, including fMRI scan under sedation, assessment, and rehabilitation training
- Participant's parent or other legal guardian give informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
- Current or history of psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder
- Severe self-injury or suicidal behavior presented in the last one year
- Severe visual, auditory, or motor disability that interferes with any study procedure
- Current or history of seizure
- Known severe physical diseases, such as congenital heart defect, traumatic brain injury
- Metal implantations, which are contradicted by MRI or TMS, such as artificial cardiac pacemakers, stents, cochlear implants
- Received TMS, tCS, FUS, or other neuromodulation treatment in the last 3 months
- Currently participating in other clinical trials