Limits of cognitive compensation in autism spectrum disorder: a functionally-guided, connectivity-based rTMS study of social cognition and executive funktion

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

DRKS

Registry ID

DRKS00028819

Enrollment

104

Registered

2022-06-14

Start date

2023-06-21

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2025-10-06

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Healthy volunteers F84.0 F84.5

Interventions

Group 1: Subjects with an autism spectrum disorder or healthy subjects who receive a brain stimulation after the performing of a fMRI imaging. Group 2: Subjects with an autism spectrum disorder or hea

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Age

18 Years to 65 Years

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: Inclusion criteria for autistic subjects: - Age 18 to 65 - No contraindications for MRI, such as metal implants or claustrophobia - Autism Quotient (AQ) > 28 - Intelligence Quotient (IQ) >80 - Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) 80 - Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) <20

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: Exclusion criteria for autistic and healthy subjects: - History of seizures (epilepsy). - Metallic foreign bodies in the skull area and pronounced tattooing in the head area - Significant brain malformations or tumors, cerebral vascular events, craniocerebral trauma, neurodegenerative diseases, brain surgery - Pacemaker - Serious physical illnesses - Tinnitus - Pregnancy - Taking medications that affect the seizure threshold - Claustrophobia (due to MRI imaging) - Current or previous treatment with deep brain stimulation, vagus nerve stimulation, other intracranial implants - Age 65 - BDI>20 points - Heavy alcohol consumption (> 60 g alcohol per day) and illegal substance abuse - Lack of knowledge of the German language (due to psychometrics) - glaucoma

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
In this project, the neurocognitive path of mentalization in subjects with and without an autism spectrum disorder is to be individually detected using functional brain imaging and then stimulated in a targeted manner using transcranial magnetic stimulation. It is to be examined whether this magnetic stimulation can lead to an improvement in social cognition.	—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
The success and safety of the above portrayed treatment will be verified and the foundations for a potential future therapy could be laid.	—

Countries

Germany

Contacts

Public ContactLeonhard Schilbach

LVR Klinikum Düsseldorf- Kliniken der Heinrich Heine Universität

Leonhard.Schilbach@lvr.de02119223301

Outcome results

None listed

Source: DRKS (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 5, 2026