TMS ASD Screen
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Downloads and media
A full explanation of the study, including possible benefits and risks, is presented in the “Participant Information Sheet/Consent Form,” which can be downloaded below. These forms have been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) of Monash Health (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia). An open access (free) published protocol describing the study, published in BMJ Open, can be downloaded here. The study is prospectively registered (ACTRN12620000890932; UTN: U1111-1256-5457) on the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR); click here for full details. Articles and Media Recent media (August 2023): The exciting new trial aiming to help treat young autistic people, 3AW, Melbourne, 2023. How non-invasive brain treatment could be used in therapy for people with autism, ABC Melbourne, 2023. Deakin University team leads autism spectrum research into non-invasive brain therapy, Herald Sun (paywalled), Melbourne, 2023. New Clinical Therapy Tested for Young Autistic Individuals, Mirage News, 2023. Official Deakin University media release,…
Can I take part?
*****Please note that recruitment has closed and we can no longer enrol new participants.***** To take part in this study you must be aged between 14-40 years and have a formal diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. This diagnosis must have been made by a registered psychiatrist, paediatrician, neurologist, or psychologist. There are also other eligibility criteria.
About the study
This clinical trial, or research study, aims to determine whether TMS is a safe and effective intervention in autism. Participants will be individuals aged between 14-40 years who have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). There will be 150 participants in total. Participants can take part in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne (recruitment completed), Adelaide, or Perth. Participants in this study will undergo 20 sessions of TMS. In this study we apply TMS to a region of the brain called the right temporoparietal junction, or rTPJ. The rTPJ is a part of the brain that is involved in social understanding and social communication. Some participants will receive the real form of TMS, while others will receive a sham or placebo form. The sham or placebo form mimics the feeling of TMS, but no brain stimulation is delivered. Participants will not know which one they receive until the end of their involvement…
What is TMS?
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a form of non-invasive brain stimulation. It is administered through a plastic-coated metallic coil that is capable of generating brief but powerful magnetic pulses. When these pulses are delivered to the scalp, they create small amount of electricity in the brain that stimulates nerve cells or “neurons.” When multiple sessions are administered, TMS is capable of producing lasting changes in the brain. TMS is an approved intervention for a range of conditions, including major depressive disorder (depression), and we have previously found that TMS can benefit social aspects of ASD. What does TMS feel like? When undergoing TMS you are awake, alert, and aware of what is happening at all times. A TMS coil is placed against the head (see below), through which TMS is administered. This is connected to a machine that sends an electrical current through the coil. The current produces a magnetic…
A clinical trial of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in autism spectrum disorder
We are currently conducting research to investigate whether a potential new intervention could be useful for people on the autism spectrum. This intervention is called transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS. TMS is a safe and non-invasive means of stimulating nerve cells in a particular part of the brain via the administration of brief magnetic pulses. TMS has been developed for a range of conditions, including depression. This study is being conducted throughout Australia. There are sites in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth. Recruitment has now closed and data collection will be completed in October 2025. We anticipate that the first results will be available early-2026. This research is funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of Australia through a Medical Research Future Fund grant (MRFF RCRDUN Neurological Disorders 2020; Application APP1199298). The study is being conducted by researchers and clinicians from the following institutions: