Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Children With Autism (NCT07092280)
A Pilot Study of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)
Although many children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) make significant progress in learning and their cognitive skills improve with applied behavior analysis (ABA), there are a significant number of children who show an absence or a plateau in various skills. Deficits in executive functioning are likely to be involved in many of these cognitive and learning disabilities due to poor functioning of the prefrontal cortex. Currently, the use of biological methods for improving learning and cognition is largely unexplored in research and practice. The aim of this study is to use of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in combination with ABA to improve the acquisition of educational programs for students with ASD. tDCS is a low-level electrical neurostimulation and is most effective when used in combination with an active training or teaching, facilitating the neuronal circuits used for that task. tDCS has been used for various indications over a couple of decades and has been shown to be very safe and has been well-tolerated by children with ASD. The mechanism of tDCS is not clear, however animal studies show that tDCS can stimulate the flow of calcium ions through channels in the astrocytes, activating them, and facilitating their role in synapse formation and therefore learning.
Who can join: Review the eligibility criteria below.
Location: New York State Institute for Basic Research — Staten Island, New York
Age range: 5 Years to 12 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)
- New York State Institute for Basic Research — Staten Island, New York
📞 Contact the Study Coordinator
Phone: (929) 257-1695
Email: jhelen.yoo@opwdd.ny.gov
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.