Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over right temporoparietal junction (rTPJ) for social cognition and social skills in adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

Wilson, Joan Esse; Trumbo, Michael C.; Wilson, J. Kevin; Tesche, C. D.

doi:10.1007/s00702-018-1938-5

Cited by 37 publications

(38 citation statements)

References 87 publications

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“…Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is one of the non-invasive brain stimulation techniques that was shown to be effective in reducing severity of ASD (Schneider and Hopp, 2011;Amatachaya et al, 2014, Amatachaya et al, 2015D'Urso et al, 2015;Gómez et al, 2017;English et al, 2018;Esse Wilson et al, 2018). In a previous tDCS study with individuals with ASD, low-voltage stimulation (1-2 mA) was applied via anodal electrode to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) for 20-30 min, and a positive effect was found immediately after the treatment (Schneider and Hopp, 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Brain Metabolite Changes After Anodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Auvichayapat

Patjanasoontorn

Phuttharak

et al. 2020

Front. Mol. Neurosci.

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Objectives: Previous research has provided evidence that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can reduce severity of autism spectrum disorder (ASD); however, the exact mechanism of this effect is still unknown. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy has demonstrated low levels of brain metabolites in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), amygdala, and left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) in individuals with ASD. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of anodal tDCS on social functioning of individuals with ASD, as measured by the social subscale of the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC), through correlations between pretreatment and posttreatment concentrations of brain metabolites in the areas of interest (DLPFC, ACC, amygdala, and locus coeruleus) and scores on the ATEC social subscale. Methods: Ten participants with ASD were administered 1 mA anodal tDCS to the left DLPFC for 20 min over five consecutive days. Measures of the ATEC social subscale and the concentrations of brain metabolites were performed before and immediately after the treatment. Results: The results showed a significant decrease between pretreatment and immediately posttreatment in the ATEC social subscale scores, significant increases in N-acetylaspartate (NAA)/creatine (Cr) and myoinositol (mI)/Cr concentrations, and a decrease in choline (Cho)/Cr concentrations in the left DLPFC and locus coeruleus after tDCS treatment. Significant associations between decreased ATEC social subscale scores and changed concentrations in NAA/Cr, Cho/Cr, and mI/Cr in the locus coeruleus were positive.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Brain Metabolite Changes After Anodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Auvichayapat

Patjanasoontorn

Phuttharak

et al. 2020

Front. Mol. Neurosci.

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“…Only one study has previously examined the effect of tDCS over the TPJ. Despite a small sample size, Esse Wilson et al [40] found tentative evidence that stimulation of the TPJ may improve verbal fluency and social skills in ASD. These results are similar to studies in healthy controls showing that tDCS stimulation of the TPJ can successfully improve social abilities such as perspective taking or emotion attribution [37][38][39].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To date, only one small-scale pilot study investigated the effect of a single session of anodal stimulation of the right TPJ at 2 mA with a concurrent skills training. Results, which are based on the behavioural data of six adults with high-functioning ASD, indicate higher verbal fluency following verum compared to sham stimulation, and a trend for improvement in a pre-post comparison of social skills in the verum group [40]. However, the small sample size, the application of tDCS for only a single session and the lack of validated clinical outcome measures highlight the preliminary nature of this study.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 90%

Phase-IIa randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled, parallel group trial on anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the left and right tempo-parietal junction in autism spectrum disorder—StimAT: study protocol for a clinical trial

Luckhardt

Schütz

Mühlherr

et al. 2021

Trials

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Background Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by impaired social communication and interaction, and stereotyped, repetitive behaviour and sensory interests. To date, there is no effective medication that can improve social communication and interaction in ASD, and effect sizes of behaviour-based psychotherapy remain in the low to medium range. Consequently, there is a clear need for new treatment options. ASD is associated with altered activation and connectivity patterns in brain areas which process social information. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a technique that applies a weak electrical current to the brain in order to modulate neural excitability and alter connectivity. Combined with specific cognitive tasks, it allows to facilitate and consolidate the respective training effects. Therefore, application of tDCS in brain areas relevant to social cognition in combination with a specific cognitive training is a promising treatment approach for ASD. Methods A phase-IIa pilot randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled, parallel-group clinical study is presented, which aims at investigating if 10 days of 20-min multi-channel tDCS stimulation of the bilateral tempo-parietal junction (TPJ) at 2.0 mA in combination with a computer-based cognitive training on perspective taking, intention and emotion understanding, can improve social cognitive abilities in children and adolescents with ASD. The main objectives are to describe the change in parent-rated social responsiveness from baseline (within 1 week before first stimulation) to post-intervention (within 7 days after last stimulation) and to monitor safety and tolerability of the intervention. Secondary objectives include the evaluation of change in parent-rated social responsiveness at follow-up (4 weeks after end of intervention), change in other ASD core symptoms and psychopathology, social cognitive abilities and neural functioning post-intervention and at follow-up in order to explore underlying neural and cognitive mechanisms. Discussion If shown, positive results regarding change in parent-rated social cognition and favourable safety and tolerability of the intervention will confirm tDCS as a promising treatment for ASD core-symptoms. This may be a first step in establishing a new and cost-efficient intervention for individuals with ASD. Trial registration The trial is registered with the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS), DRKS00014732. Registered on 15 August 2018. Protocol version This study protocol refers to protocol version 1.2 from 24 May 2019.

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“…The DLPFC and TPJ are widely implicated in the neuropathophysiology of ASD. Numerous studies demonstrate functional abnormalities at these regions (43)(44)(45)(46)(47)(48), and they are also involved in neural networks implicated in the behavioural symptomatology of ASD, such as deficits in executive functions and theory of mind respectively (49)(50)(51)(52). Given the wealth of knowledge that is available regarding TMS to M1, it was pertinent to include this site in the present investigation, along with TMSEMG outcomes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A single- and paired-pulse TMS-EEG investigation of the N100 and long interval cortical inhibition in autism spectrum disorder

Kirkovski

Hill

Rogasch

et al. 2021

Preprint

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BackgroundThere is evidence to suggest a disruption of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but findings are mixed. Concurrent electroencephalography and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS-EEG) provides a novel method by which to probe GABA-mediated cortical inhibition.MethodsWith a particular focus on GABAB-ergic mechanisms, we investigated the N100 peak of the TMS evoked potential (TEP), as well as long interval cortical inhibition (LICIEEG) in adults with ASD (n = 23; 12 female) without intellectual disability, and a neurotypical comparison group (n =22; 12 female) matched for age, sex, and IQ. Seventy-five single-(spTMS) and 75 paired-(ppTMS; 100 ms inter-stimulus-interval) pulses were applied to the right primary motor cortex (M1), right temporoparietal junction (TPJ), and right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) while EEG was recorded from 20 scalp electrodes. Additionally, electromyography (EMG) was used to investigate corticospinal inhibition following ppTMS to M1 (LICIEMG).ResultsThere were no group differences in the N100 amplitude or latency following spTMS. LICI outcomes following ppTMS, as measured by either EEG or EMG, also did not differ between groups. These findings were further supported by Bayesian analyses, which provided weak-moderate support for the null hypothesis.LimitationsData presented here reflect adults without intellectual disability, and the generalisability of these results is therefore limited.ConclusionsThe findings of this study argue against GABAB-ergic impairment in adults with ASD without intellectual disability, at least at the cortical regions examined. Further research investigating these mechanisms in ASD at various ages, with varying degrees of symptomatology, and at different brain sites is an important factor in understating the role of GABA in the neuropathophysiology of ASD.

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Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over right temporoparietal junction (rTPJ) for social cognition and social skills in adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

Cited by 37 publications

References 87 publications

Brain Metabolite Changes After Anodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Brain Metabolite Changes After Anodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Phase-IIa randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled, parallel group trial on anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the left and right tempo-parietal junction in autism spectrum disorder—StimAT: study protocol for a clinical trial

A single- and paired-pulse TMS-EEG investigation of the N100 and long interval cortical inhibition in autism spectrum disorder

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