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Cerebellar tDCS for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

This study is looking at whether a treatment called tDCS (transcranial direct current stimulation) is safe for children and young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). tDCS uses a small electrical current applied to a specific part of the brain called the cerebellum. Researchers also want to see if tDCS can help with some symptoms of ASD, like repetitive behaviors and hyperactivity. You may be able to join if you are 4-17 years old, have an ASD diagnosis, an IQ score of at least 70, and can speak in simple sentences. The main goal is to track any side effects from tDCS for up to one month after the treatment. The study's current status is unclear.

Study design
This is a randomized, double-blind, controlled study planning to enroll 60 children with ASD.
What's involved
You would attend an orientation day for safety screening and a mock MRI, and complete various tasks and behavioral measurements before treatment.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Side effects will be assessed for up to one month after the intervention.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT04446442

Cerebellar tDCS in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Recruiting
NAAges 4–17Interventional
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
~60 participants
Updated 2026-06-04 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:tDCS

At a glance

Recruiting sites
2 of 2 listed sites are recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Incidence of tDCS associated side effects assessed by tDCS Safety Assessment
Measured over Post-Intervention up to one month

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder

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NCT04446442

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 2 sites. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

  • Children's Medical Center

    Dallas, Texasno site contact published

    Recruiting

  • University of Texas Southwestern

    Dallas, Texasno site contact published

    Recruiting

Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.

Study leadership

  • Peter Tsai, MD, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

Who to contact

Peter Tsai, MD, PhD
[email protected]
214-648-3577
Email the study team

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

4-17 years old
Diagnosed with ASD and ADOS-2
IQ Score no less than 70 (1.5 Standard Deviations below the mean)
Language Level (Speech consists of, at minimum, flexible, spontaneous, simple, sentences)

Exclusion

Brain implants, metal implants, pacemakers, or biomedical devices
Diagnosis of epilepsy
Hearing or visual impairments
History of brain injury
Known brain abnormalities not associated with ASD

What this trial measures

  • Incidence of tDCS associated side effects assessed by tDCS Safety AssessmentPost-Intervention up to one month

    Observe whether tDCS to the cerebellum (specifically, the right crus I/II area of the cerebellum) of children and young adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is safe and easily tolerated using a tDCS Safety Assessment