Brain zaps may boost social skills in autism
NCT ID NCT04936009
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether a noninvasive brain stimulation technique called rTMS can improve social abilities in adults with autism. Researchers will measure brain responses and eye gaze patterns before and after treatment. The goal is to see if this approach can ease core social challenges.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 60 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Mar 2022
- Expected to finish
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Jul 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 40 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Individuals between the ages of 18 and 40 years old with typical development or with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. * Individuals able to participate in an EEG and eye-tracking experiment. Exclusion Criteria: * Participants reporting significant head trauma or serious brain illness. * Participants with major psychiatric illness that would preclude completion of study measures. * Participants with a history of serious medical illness, stroke, seizures, epileptiform EEG abnormalities, or family history of seizures. * Participants taking prescription medications that may affect cognitive processes under study. * Participants who have taken alcohol or recreational drugs within the preceding 24 hours. * Females of known/suspected pregnancy or who test positive on a pregnancy test. * Participants with a history of metalworking or injury by shrapnel or metallic objects are also excluded. * Participants with a history of prior TMS therapy or use of an investigational drug within 12 weeks of visit. * Participants with an IQ (intelligence quotient) below 80.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Yale University Child Study Center
RECRUITINGNew Haven, Connecticut, 06520, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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