NCT06495684 Effects of Multiple-Session Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on Behavioral, Physiological, and Electrophysiological Measures With Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
| NCT ID | NCT06495684 |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Phase | — |
| Sponsor | University of New Mexico |
| Condition | Autism Spectrum Disorder |
| Study Type | INTERVENTIONAL |
| Enrollment | 20 participants |
| Start Date | 2024-03-12 |
| Primary Completion | 2026-06-30 |
Eligibility & Interventions
Eligibility Fast-Check
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What to Expect as a Participant
You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.
This trial targets 20 participants in total. It began in 2024-03-12 with a primary completion date of 2026-06-30.
⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.
Brief Summary
The purpose of this clinical trial is to investigate the effects of multiple sessions of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) delivered while participants complete tasks that target social learning with high functioning adults with ASD and/or high traits of ASD. The main question it aims to answer is: What are the effects of multiple sessions of active compared to sham tDCS, with tDCS simultaneously paired with social learning tasks, from employing a within-subject, cross-over randomized controlled trial design? Participants will: * Complete a randomly assigned block of 5 sessions of active and a block of 5 sessions of sham tDCS, with a four-week break occurring between the two blocks. * Complete social learning tasks simultaneously during receipt of tDCS at each session (whether receiving active or sham tDCS). * Complete behavioral, physiological, and electrophysiological testing before and after each block of active or sham tDCS. * Complete a social validity questionnaire after completion of the study.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Age 18-35 years 2. Proficient in English 3. Classification of autism or autism spectrum disorder on Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale, 2nd Edition (ADOS-2) or score of \>= 17 on Autism Quotient (AQ) 4. Good or corrected vision and hearing 5. Right-handed based on the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory 6. Score of \>= 85 on Shipley-2 Exclusion Criteria 1. No known loss of consciousness for \> 5 minutes 2. No immediate biological family members with a history of epilepsy or seizure disorder 3. No major medical needs (e.g., neurological disorders such as a seizure disorder; long-term illness) 4. No surgically implanted metal above the neck (example: metal pins or plates, cochlear implants, aneurysm clips, brain electrodes) 5. No hospitalization for depression, anxiety, or substance abuse in the past 12 months 6. No individuals who are currently pregnant 7. No pacemakers 8. No history of neurological disorders such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, bipolar disorder, encephalitis, epilepsy, seizure disorder, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Contact & Investigator
Bill Shuttleworth, Ph.D.
STUDY DIRECTOR
University of New Mexico
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join the NCT06495684 clinical trial?
This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, up to 35 Years, studying Autism Spectrum Disorder. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.
Is NCT06495684 currently recruiting?
Yes, NCT06495684 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at joanwilson@unm.edu for enrollment information.
Where is the NCT06495684 trial being conducted?
This trial is being conducted at Albuquerque, United States.
Who is sponsoring the NCT06495684 clinical trial?
NCT06495684 is sponsored by University of New Mexico. The principal investigator is Bill Shuttleworth, Ph.D. at University of New Mexico. The trial plans to enroll 20 participants.