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Cortical Excitability and Role of Non Invasive Brain Stimulation in ADHD and AUTISM
Sponsor: Assiut University
Summary
This double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial will evaluate the effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and matched healthy controls. Participants aged 6-19 years will be assigned to active or sham rTMS protocols targeting the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex over 3 weeks, with assessment of changes in disorder-specific symptoms and cortical excitability. The study aims to determine the safety, feasibility, and preliminary efficacy of rTMS as a non-invasive neuromodulation approach in pediatric neurodevelopmental disorders.
Official title: Cortical Excitability and Role of Non Invasive Brain Stimulation in ADHD and AUTISM : Double Blind Randomized Clinical Trial
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
6 Years - 19 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
80
Start Date
2026-01
Completion Date
2027-02
Last Updated
2026-01-02
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Interventions
Active repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)
Active repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation delivered using a figure-of-eight coil. For ADHD, high-frequency 10 Hz rTMS is applied over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex at 100-110% resting motor threshold, 1200-1500 pulses per session, 15 sessions over 3 weeks. For ASD, 1 Hz inhibitory rTMS or intermittent theta-burst stimulation is applied over bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex with approximately 1200 pulses per session, 15 sessions over 3 weeks.
Sham repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (sham rTMS)
Sham rTMS using the same device and schedule as active treatment, with coil positioning and acoustic cues mimicking stimulation but without delivering effective magnetic pulses. Fifteen sham sessions are administered over 3 weeks for ADHD and ASD participants in the sham arms, in addition to standard clinical care.