Learning Enhancement Through Neurostimulation in Autism (LENS)

Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC)

Status: Completed

Conditions: Autism

Treatments: Behavioral: PEERS Social Skills Training; Device: Sham Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation; Device: Active Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; NIH

Identifiers

NCT02998684

Pro00056912

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study will examine whether brain stimulation paired with social skills learning can help teenage boys with autism learn how to make and keep friends. Brain stimulation can enhance learning in some people. This study involves enrolling in a 14-week training program where teenage boys with autism interact in small groups and learn social skills. During the 14-week program participants will receive active brain stimulation, or non-active stimulation (placebo). Before and after this training, MRI scans will be taken to see whether the training with active brain stimulation made a different in brain activation.

Enrollment: 25 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 14 to 17 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Autism Spectrum Disorder

Exclusion criteria

• Intellectual Disabilities (Full-scale IQ <70)
• Hx of seizures within the last one year
• Contraindications for fMRI, such as metal implants in the head

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Triple Blind

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25 participants in 2 patient groups

Active Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants will receive active Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Treatment:

Behavioral: PEERS Social Skills Training

Device: Active Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Sham Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Sham Comparator group

Description:

Participants will receive sham Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Treatment:

Behavioral: PEERS Social Skills Training

Device: Sham Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation