Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Autistic Spectrum Disorder

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Modulates Spectral Power and Coherence in Autism Spectrum Disorder: a Triple-blind, Placebo-controlled Study

Status

Completed

Phases

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT05311982

Acronym

TDCSinASD

Enrollment

Registered

2022-04-05

Start date

2021-03-01

Completion date

2021-09-30

Last updated

2022-04-05

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

Conditions

Autistic Disorders Spectrum

Keywords

Autism, Tdcs, EEG

Brief summary

To understand the changes in the resting electroencephalogram (EEG) brain networks of children and adolescents with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) induced by transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), we asked two questions. First: how can tDCS modulate the expression of neural network dynamics? Second: how can tDCS modulate functional connections at specific frequencies? We hypothesized that the tDCS mechanism results in increased cortical frequencies in the areas under the anode, which may reflect an increase in synaptic connectivity, and that this tDCS-related increase changes connection profiles at specific frequencies important for ASD, indicating improvement in symptoms. To verify this improvement, the researchers used the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) after an intervention, comparing baseline scores with post-treatment scores.

Interventions

DEVICEDLPFC-R (F4) TDCS

direct current brain stimulation- The study was developed through a triple-blind, crossover, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial (dummy tDCS). Participants were randomized into three groups receiving unilateral tDCS in DLPFC-L F3 (Block A), combined tDCS in DLPFC-L (F3) and DLPFC-R (F4) simultaneously (Block B) or sham-tDCS (Block C) with equal electrode configuration guaranteed blindness. After the procedures, each participant received the following intervention in the order ABC, BCA or CAB with a period of 1 week between each one. Each block took 3 weeks, organized into: 1) Assessment; 2) Application of stimulation; 3) Reassessment and washout week. Adding 1 more week of final evaluation, the study totaled the period of 10 weeks. During this period, patients were instructed to continue their behavioral/educational treatment and medication routines.

DEVICEDLPFC-L (F3) and DLPFC-R (F4) TDCS

DLPFC-L (F3) and DLPFC-R (F4) (Bock B)

DEVICEsham-tDCS

sham-tDCS (Block C) with equal electrode configuration guaranteed blindness

Study design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

CROSSOVER

Primary purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

5 Years to 18 Years

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Patients with ASD reported by a Neuropediatrician; Age group between 5 and 18 years; Mild and moderate clinical symptoms

Exclusion criteria

Patients with severe mental illness; Use of a pacemaker or other metal device on the body; Brain tumor or intracranial infection; Uncooperative parents or caregivers; Epilepsy; structural change in the skull

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame	Description
to compare the effectiveness of Neuromodulation techniques - transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) - in the treatment of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder	7 weeks	EEG and TDCS

Secondary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Check the effects of tDCS modulations on cognitive responses through Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist	7 weeks	ATEC and EEG

Countries

Brazil

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026