rTMS for Depression in Young Adults With Autism (NCT04972136)
A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating the Efficacy of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) as Treatment for Major Depressive Disorder in Transition-Age Youth With Autism Spectrum Disorder
🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)
The current clinical trial is focused on evaluating the efficacy of rTMS for treatment of depression in youth and young adults (hereafter called transition aged youth, TAY) with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The motivation to undertake the current efficacy study is driven by: (1) the substantial impact of depression on TAY with ASD (based on prevalence and contribution to disability/impairment); (2) lack of evidence-based treatments for depression in autism (there are no current trials rigorously evaluating any treatment for depression, i.e., psychotherapeutic, pharmacotherapeutic, brain stimulation); (3) rTMS has demonstrated efficacy in non-autistic individuals to improve symptoms of depression and may be better tolerated in youth than medication treatment; (4) a prior pilot rTMS study focused on treatment of executive function deficits in autism indicated that high frequency rTMS delivered using a rigorous randomized control trial (RCT) protocol can be feasibly implemented in TAY with autism, is well tolerated (mild to moderate adverse effects and low drop out), and has the potential to improve symptoms of depression.
Who can join: Review the eligibility criteria below.
Location: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health — Toronto, Ontario
Age range: 16 Years to 35 Years
🧪 Interventions in This Study
📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener
Instant ChecklistFull eligibility criteria are available on the official NIH protocol. View the criteria ↗
📍 All Participating Trial Locations (1 Sites)
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health — Toronto, Ontario
📞 Contact the Study Coordinator
Phone: (416) 535-8501
Email: AutismTMS@camh.ca
Coordinator details come directly from the registered NIH protocol. Confirm the study is still recruiting before traveling.
💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights
- 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
- Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
- Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.
More studies in Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Improving the Part C Early Intervention Service Delivery System for Children With ASD — Chicago, Illinois
- Treatment to Improve Sleep in Caregivers With Insomnia and a Child With Autism — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Neural and Behavioral Facets of Social Cognition in Autism Spectrum Disorder — New Haven, Connecticut
- PRISM Intervention Study — Los Angeles, California
- ML-004 Open-Label Extension Study in Adults and Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) — Dothan, Alabama
- MTT for Children With ASD Who Have Gastrointestinal Disorders — Tempe, Arizona
Explore by condition: All Autism Spectrum Disorder clinical trials
💡 How to Participate
- Check the checklist above to see if you may qualify.
- Contact the study coordinator using the phone/email above.
- Ask about the visit schedule, what is covered at no cost, and any travel support.
- Confirm with your own doctor before making a decision.