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Design and methodology for a proof of mechanism study of individualized neuronavigated continuous Theta burst stimulation for auditory processing in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Oberman, LM; Francis, SM; Beynel, L; Hynd, M; Jaime, M; Robins, PL; Deng, Z-D; Stout, J; van der Veen, JW; Lisanby, SH
Published in: Front Psychiatry
2024

It has been suggested that aberrant excitation/inhibition (E/I) balance and dysfunctional structure and function of relevant brain networks may underlie the symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the nomological network linking these constructs to quantifiable measures and mechanistically relating these constructs to behavioral symptoms of ASD is lacking. Herein we describe a within-subject, controlled, proof-of-mechanism study investigating the pathophysiology of auditory/language processing in adolescents with ASD. We utilize neurophysiological and neuroimaging techniques including magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and magnetoencephalography (MEG) metrics of language network structure and function. Additionally, we apply a single, individually targeted session of continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) as an experimental probe of the impact of perturbation of the system on these neurophysiological and neuroimaging outcomes. MRS, fMRI, and MEG measures are evaluated at baseline and immediately prior to and following cTBS over the posterior superior temporal cortex (pSTC), a region involved in auditory and language processing deficits in ASD. Also, behavioral measures of ASD and language processing and DWI measures of auditory/language network structures are obtained at baseline to characterize the relationship between the neuroimaging and neurophysiological measures and baseline symptom presentation. We hypothesize that local gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate concentrations (measured with MRS), and structural and functional activity and network connectivity (measured with DWI and fMRI), will significantly predict MEG indices of auditory/language processing and behavioral deficits in ASD. Furthermore, a single session of cTBS over left pSTC is hypothesized to lead to significant, acute changes in local glutamate and GABA concentration, functional activity and network connectivity, and MEG indices of auditory/language processing. We have completed the pilot phase of the study (n=20 Healthy Volunteer adults) and have begun enrollment for the main phase with adolescents with ASD (n=86; age 14-17). If successful, this study will establish a nomological network linking local E/I balance measures to functional and structural connectivity within relevant brain networks, ultimately connecting them to ASD symptoms. Furthermore, this study will inform future therapeutic trials using cTBS to treat the symptoms of ASD.

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Published In

Front Psychiatry

DOI

ISSN

1664-0640

Publication Date

2024

Volume

15

Start / End Page

1304528

Location

Switzerland

Related Subject Headings

  • 3202 Clinical sciences
  • 1701 Psychology
  • 1117 Public Health and Health Services
  • 1103 Clinical Sciences
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
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MLA
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Oberman, L. M., Francis, S. M., Beynel, L., Hynd, M., Jaime, M., Robins, P. L., … Lisanby, S. H. (2024). Design and methodology for a proof of mechanism study of individualized neuronavigated continuous Theta burst stimulation for auditory processing in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. Front Psychiatry, 15, 1304528. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1304528
Oberman, Lindsay M., Sunday M. Francis, Lysianne Beynel, Megan Hynd, Miguel Jaime, Pei L. Robins, Zhi-De Deng, Jeff Stout, Jan Willem van der Veen, and Sarah H. Lisanby. “Design and methodology for a proof of mechanism study of individualized neuronavigated continuous Theta burst stimulation for auditory processing in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder.Front Psychiatry 15 (2024): 1304528. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1304528.
Oberman LM, Francis SM, Beynel L, Hynd M, Jaime M, Robins PL, Deng Z-D, Stout J, van der Veen JW, Lisanby SH. Design and methodology for a proof of mechanism study of individualized neuronavigated continuous Theta burst stimulation for auditory processing in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. Front Psychiatry. 2024;15:1304528.

Published In

Front Psychiatry

DOI

ISSN

1664-0640

Publication Date

2024

Volume

15

Start / End Page

1304528

Location

Switzerland

Related Subject Headings

  • 3202 Clinical sciences
  • 1701 Psychology
  • 1117 Public Health and Health Services
  • 1103 Clinical Sciences