Zapping the brain to boost social skills in autism
NCT ID NCT04442061
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called TMS in 20 young adults with autism. The goal was to see if stimulating a specific brain area could improve how they look at faces and interact socially. Participants received 10 daily sessions, and researchers measured changes in eye gaze and behavior.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
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20 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Feb 2022
- Finished
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Jan 2026
- 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
-
17 to 25 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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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: * Male or female patient diagnosed with ASD according to DSM-V and ADI-R * Patient aged 17 to 25 * Patient apt to undergo an MRI * Patient affiliated with a social security system or beneficiary of such system * Informed consent signed by the patient or his legal guardian. Exclusion Criteria : * Presence of a somatic pathology * Presence of a neurological pathology * Presence of epilepsy, history of seizure. * Initiation, discontinuation or modification of neuroleptics or benzodiazepines treatment in the previous month * Contraindication to MRI (pacemaker, intracorporeal metallic foreign body, metal worker) * Contraindication to the use of TMS (epilepsy and family epilepsy, presence of craniotomy scar, pacemaker or pacemaker, intraocular or intracerebral metallic foreign body, cochlear implant, cardiac valve or metallic surgical arterial material, metallic material capable of concentrating radio frequency pulses) * Pregnancy and breast-feeding * Participation in another pilot study or clinical trial that does not allow participation in this protocol.
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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.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades - Service de radiologie pédiatrique
Paris, 75015, France
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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