Zapping a deep brain region might boost social understanding in autism
NCT ID NCT07770451
First seen Aug 18, 2026 · Last updated Aug 19, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This pilot study tests whether deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (dTMS) targeting the medial prefrontal cortex—a brain area involved in social thinking—can improve social cognition in adults with autism spectrum disorder. Twenty adults aged 18-45 will receive 10 daily sessions of noninvasive magnetic pulses. The study measures changes in social cognitive tests, autism severity, and brain connectivity to see if this approach holds promise.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (dTMS) using the Brainsway H1 coil
- What this could lead to
- If effective, this could offer a noninvasive brain stimulation approach to improve social cognition and core symptoms in adults with autism.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small pilot study with only 20 participants, so results may not generalize. The treatment is experimental, and its effects on social cognition remain uncertain.
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 20 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Dec 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2028
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 45 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Having a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder based on DSM-5-TR diagnosis criteria * Aged 18-45 years old * No change of medications in the past three months Exclusion Criteria: * Comorbidity of schizophrenia, substance use disorder, * Had major medical diseases (e.g., malignancy, severe cardiac, hepatic, renal diseases, or active CNS or systemic infection) or major neurological disease (e.g., uncontrolled epilepsy, brain tumors or hemangioma, severe head trauma) * Contraindications of MRI or TMS procedure: Ferromagnetic material in the skull, head, and neck; claustrophobia; had received neurosurgery, etc. * Receiving electroconvulsive therapy or TMS in the past three months
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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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Department of Psychiatry, National Taiwan University Hospital
Taipei, Taiwan
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