Cerebellum and Autism: Regional Specialization for Social and Executive Functions
Purpose
The goal of this study is to determine the impact of neuromodulation to the cerebellum on social and executive functions in neurotypical young adults and young adults with autism.
Conditions
- Autism
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
Eligibility
- Eligible Ages
- Between 18 Years and 35 Years
- Eligible Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria
All participants - Aged 18-35 - Able to provide written, informed consent - NIH Toolbox age-adjusted Cognitive Function Composite standard score ≥ 85 - Native English speaker - Right-handed - Not pregnant - Able to attend all study sessions - Pass safety screening for MRI and neuromodulation (e.g. no metal in body, implanted devices, history of seizure, claustrophobia) Additional INCLUSION criteria for adults with autism Either - Prior research-reliable diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) Or - Meet DSM-5 criteria for ASD confirmed with ADOS-2 via research-reliable clinical assessment
Exclusion Criteria
Neurotypical adults - Age <18 or >35 - NIH Toolbox age-adjusted Cognitive Function Composite standard score < 85 - Contraindications for MRI or neuromodulation with tDCS (e.g. metal in body, pacemaker or other implanted device, history of seizure, claustrophobia) - Current or prior history of neurological or neurodevelopmental condition or brain injury - Psychotropic medication - Pregnancy Adults with autism - Age <18 or >35 - Participants with a legal authorized representative - NIH Toolbox age-adjusted Cognitive Function Composite standard score < 85 - Contraindications for MRI or neuromodulation with tDCS (e.g. metal in body, pacemaker or other implanted device, history of seizure, claustrophobia) - Pregnancy
Study Design
- Phase
- N/A
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Parallel Assignment
- Intervention Model Description
- Within-subjects design (active, sham tDCS) with separate groups receiving tDCS targeting cerebellar right lobule VII and the posterior cerebellar vermis.
- Primary Purpose
- Basic Science
- Masking
- Triple (Participant, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Arm Groups
| Arm | Description | Assigned Intervention |
|---|---|---|
|
Experimental Right cerebellum |
Participants (neurotypical, autistic) in this arm will receive tDCS targeting the right posterolateral cerebellum (lobule VII). All participants will receive anodal, cathodal and sham tDCS. |
|
|
Experimental Posterior vermis |
Participants (neurotypical, autistic) in this arm will receive tDCS targeting the posterior cerebellar vermis. All participants will receive anodal, cathodal and sham tDCS. |
|
Recruiting Locations
Washington D.C., District of Columbia 20016
More Details
- NCT ID
- NCT05396352
- Status
- Recruiting
- Sponsor
- American University
Detailed Description
Autism spectrum disorder is a prevalent neurodevelopmental condition characterized by deficits in social communication and the presence of repetitive and inflexible behaviors. There are currently few biologically-targeted treatment options for autism, in part because the underlying neurobiology is not well understood. One region of the brain that is consistently implicated in autism is the cerebellum. Specifically, two cerebellar subregions show structural and functional differences in autism: right cerebellar lobule VII (RVII) and the posterior cerebellar vermis. Based on the different anatomical connectivity of these regions, the investigators hypothesize that RVII and the posterior vermis regulate different core deficits in autism. In this study, the investigators combine cerebellar neuromodulation with functional neuroimaging to test the hypothesis that neuromodulation targeting RVII will selectively alter social learning and neural networks supporting social behavior, while neuromodulation targeting the posterior vermis will impact cognitive flexibility and neural networks involved in the allocation of attention. Neurotypical adults and adults with autism will complete social and cognitive flexibility tasks after excitatory, inhibitory, or sham neuromodulation in a within-subjects design. Some participants will receive neuromodulation targeting RVII and others will receive neuromodulation targeting the posterior vermis. The investigators will acquire functional brain imaging data during and after cerebellar neuromodulation, which will allow the team to better understand the mechanisms by which non-invasive neuromodulation might impact behavior in clinical disorders.