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The use of noninvasive brain stimulation techniques in autism spectrum disorder.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Oberman, LM; Francis, SM; Lisanby, SH
Published in: Autism Res
January 2024

Noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques, including repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), have recently emerged as alternative, nonpharmacological interventions for a variety of psychiatric, neurological, and neurodevelopmental conditions. NIBS is beginning to be applied in both research and clinical settings for the treatment of core and associated symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) including social communication deficits, restricted and repetitive behaviors, irritability, hyperactivity, depression and impairments in executive functioning and sensorimotor integration. Though there is much promise for these targeted device-based interventions, in other disorders (including adult major depressive disorder (MDD) and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) where rTMS is FDA cleared), data on the safety and efficacy of these interventions in individuals with ASD is limited especially in younger children when neurodevelopmental interventions typically begin. Most studies are open-label, small scale, and/or focused on a restricted subgroup of individuals with ASD. There is a need for larger, randomized controlled trials that incorporate neuroimaging in order to develop predictive biomarkers of treatment response and optimize treatment parameters. We contend that until such studies are conducted, we do not have adequate estimates of the safety and efficacy of NIBS interventions in children across the spectrum. Thus, broad off-label use of these techniques in this population is not supported by currently available evidence. Here we discuss the existing data on the use of NIBS to treat symptoms related to ASD and discuss future directions for the field.

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Published In

Autism Res

DOI

EISSN

1939-3806

Publication Date

January 2024

Volume

17

Issue

1

Start / End Page

17 / 26

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
  • Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
  • Humans
  • Developmental & Child Psychology
  • Depressive Disorder, Major
  • Child
  • Brain
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Adult
  • 5203 Clinical and health psychology
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
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Oberman, L. M., Francis, S. M., & Lisanby, S. H. (2024). The use of noninvasive brain stimulation techniques in autism spectrum disorder. Autism Res, 17(1), 17–26. https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.3041
Journal cover image

Published In

Autism Res

DOI

EISSN

1939-3806

Publication Date

January 2024

Volume

17

Issue

1

Start / End Page

17 / 26

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
  • Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
  • Humans
  • Developmental & Child Psychology
  • Depressive Disorder, Major
  • Child
  • Brain
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Adult
  • 5203 Clinical and health psychology