Effect of Repititive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Abstract Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopment disorder characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction, and stereotyped behaviors, interests, and activities.The clinical, social and financial burden of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is staggering. The underlying brain mechanisms causing these symptoms are unknown and there currently exists no cure. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is is beginning to be used by a number of centers worldwide as promising, emerging tool for the study and potential treatment of ASD. Repetitive TMS (rTMS) may represent a novel treatment strategy for reducing some of the core and associated ASD symptoms. The current study tested the potential therapeutic effect of rTMS in patients diagnosed with ASD. A sham controlled study in 15 patients diagnosed with ASD received active rTMS intervention and matched for age, gender, symptoms severity and IQ with 15 patients diagnosed as ASD and received sham rTMS stimulation. rTMS was administered weekly for 12 weeks with the 1st six treatments over the left DLPFC, whereas the remaining six treatments over the right DLPFC at 1.0 Hz frequency and 90% MT, total of 180 pulses per day session with nine trains with 20 pulses each. There will be 20-30 seconds intervals between the trains.