Effects of Multiple-Session Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on Behavioral, Physiological, and Electrophysiological Measures With Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Part of paid clinical trials in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Sponsor
University of New Mexico
Study ID
NCT06495684
Status
Recruiting
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Conditions

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
18 Years - 35 Years
Healthy Volunteers
Not accepted

Interventions

  • Anodal tDCS + Social Learning — DEVICE
    Anodal tDCS lowers neuronal membrane potentials, leading to increased probability of depolarization from incoming stimuli.
  • Placebo Anodal tDCS + Social Learning — BEHAVIORAL
    Social learning tasks are completed on a computer and consist of viewing video modeling of social interactions, facial emotion detection practice, and videos for emotion and empathy learning.

Study Details

The purpose of this clinical trial is to investigate the effects of multiple sessions of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) delivered while participants complete tasks that target social learning with high functioning adults with ASD and/or high traits of ASD. The main question it aims to answer is: What are the effects of multiple sessions of active compared to sham tDCS, with tDCS simultaneously paired with social learning tasks, from employing a within-subject, cross-over randomized controlled trial design? Participants will: * Complete a randomly assigned block of 5 sessions of active and a block of 5 sessions of sham tDCS, with a four-week break occurring between the two blocks. * Complete social learning tasks simultaneously during receipt of tDCS at each session (whether receiving active or sham tDCS). * Complete behavioral, physiological, and electrophysiological testing before and after each block of active or sham tDCS. * Complete a social validity questionnaire after completion of the study.

Key Dates

Start date
Mar 12, 2024
Status verified
Jan 2026
Primary completion
Jun 30, 2026
Completion
Jun 30, 2027

Study Design

Enrollment
20 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
TREATMENT

Arms

  • Experimental: Anodal tDCS + Social Learning
    In this arm, participants will undergo 5 sessions of 30 minutes anodal tDCS combined with social learning tasks on consecutive weekdays.
  • Sham Comparator: Placebo anodal tDCS + Social Learning
    In this arm, participants will undergo 5 sessions of 30 minutes placebo anodal tDCS combined with social learning tasks on consecutive weekdays.

Primary Outcome Measure

Measure of Emotional Distress - Anxiety [ Time Frame: Before and after each 5-day block of tDCS stimulation ]

Central Contacts

Locations (1)

FacilityCityStateZIPSite coordinators
University of New MexicoAlbuquerqueNew Mexico87131

Find similar trials in Albuquerque, NM

By condition
Autism spectrum disorder
By specialty
Pediatrics
By research site
University of New Mexico· Albuquerque, NM

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