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A double-blind , randomized trial of deep repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation ( rTMS ) for autism spectrum disorder . BACKGROUND Biomedical treatment options for autism spectrum disorder ( ASD ) are extremely limited . Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation ( rTMS ) is a safe and efficacious technique when targeting specific areas of cortical dysfunction in major depressive disorder , and a similar approach could yield therapeutic benefits in ASD , if applied to relevant cortical regions . OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to examine whether deep rTMS to bilateral dorsomedial prefrontal cortex improves social relating in ASD . METHODS 28 adults diagnosed with either autistic disorder ( high-functioning ) or Asperger 's disorder completed a prospective , double-blind , randomized , placebo-controlled design with 2 weeks of daily weekday treatment . This involved deep rTMS to bilateral dorsomedial prefrontal cortex ( 5 Hz , 10-s train duration , 20-s inter-train interval ) for 15 min ( 1500 pulses per session ) using a HAUT-Coil . The sham rTMS coil was encased in the same helmet of the active deep rTMS coil , but no effective field was delivered into the brain . Assessments were conducted before , after , and one month following treatment . RESULTS Participants in the active condition showed a near significant reduction in self-reported social relating symptoms from pre-treatment to one month follow-up , and a significant reduction in social relating symptoms ( relative to sham participants ) for both post-treatment assessments . Those in the active condition also showed a reduction in self-oriented anxiety during difficult and emotional social situations from pre-treatment to one month follow-up . There were no changes for those in the sham condition . CONCLUSION Deep rTMS to bilateral dorsomedial prefrontal cortex yielded a reduction in social relating impairment and socially-related anxiety . Further research in this area should employ extended rTMS protocols that approximate those used in depression in an attempt to replicate and amplify the clinical response .
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Intervention_Surgical
deep repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation ( rTMS )
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Intervention_Surgical
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation ( rTMS )
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Intervention_Surgical
rTMS
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Intervention_Control
placebo-controlled
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Intervention_Surgical
deep rTMS
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Intervention_Surgical
rTMS
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Intervention_Surgical
rTMS
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Outcome_Mental
ASD .
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Outcome_Mental
self-reported social relating symptoms
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Outcome_Mental
social relating symptoms
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Outcome_Mental
self-oriented anxiety
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Participant_Condition
autism spectrum disorder .
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Participant_Sample-size
28
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Participant_Age
adults
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Participant_Condition
either autistic disorder ( high-functioning ) or Asperger 's disorder