Can transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) improve mirror system activity in autism spectrum disorders?

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: High-functioning autism; Asperger's disorder; Mental Health - Autistic spectrum disorders

• Registration Number: ACTRN12611000176965
• Lead Sponsor: Dr. Peter Enticott

Brief Summary

Not available

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Results First Posted: 1900-01-01
• Study Start: 2011-02-15
• Last Update Posted: 13 January 2020

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 40

Inclusion Criteria

There will be two groups: individuals diagnosed with ASD and typically developing individuals (to act as a comparison group).
Individuals with ASD: Diagnosis of autism (high-functioning) or Asperger's disorders (ASD group only).
Typically developing individuals: No history of psychiatric or neurological illness.

Exclusion Criteria

For both groups: History of epilepsy or seizure activity; history of serious head injury; occupation as a professional driver or machine operator; history of stroke; metal in the head; hearing or visual impairment; neurological condition; psychiatric/neurodevelopmental condition (apart from ASD in the ASD group); genetic disorder.

Study & Design

• Study Type: Interventional
• Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Corticospinal excitability (CSE) during action observation relative to CSE during static observation. This is achieved by administered single transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) pulses to the left primary cortex, and recording responses from the right hand muscles using electromyography, while the participant watches a series of short video clips.[Immediately after tDCS in each of the three tDCS sessions.]

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
il[Nil]