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TMS for Mentalizing Activity in Autism Spectrum Disorder

This study is looking at how Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) affects brain activity related to "mentalizing" (our ability to understand others' thoughts and feelings) in young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Researchers want to see if stimulating a specific brain area, the temporoparietal junction, can change how the brain works during social interactions. You would have brain scans (fMRI) before and after TMS treatments. The study aims to find out if different types of TMS (rTMS) can increase or decrease this brain activity, especially in people with ASD. They will compare results to people without ASD. To join, you should be 18-35 years old, right-handed, fluent in English, and have an IQ over 80. You also shouldn't have certain medical or neurological conditions.

Study design
This interventional study plans to enroll 80 participants. It uses a double-blind, counterbalanced design, meaning neither you nor the researchers will know which type of TMS you are receiving at a given time.
What's involved
You will have four study sessions, including a baseline visit and three sessions with two fMRI scans each. TMS procedures will be performed between the fMRI scans during these three sessions.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
The primary endpoint, Mentalizing Task Related (MTR) neural activity, is measured during each fMRI, up to 5 hours.

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

NCT06214065

Modulating Temporoparietal Junction Mentalizing-Related Activity in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

Recruiting
NAAges 18–35Interventional
Yale University
~80 participants
Updated 2026-03-27 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:fMRIrTMS

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Mentalizing Task Related (MTR) neural activity in the mentalizing network
Measured over during each fMRI, up to 5 hours

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder

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NCT06214065

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 1 site. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

  • Olin Neuropsychiatry Research Center (ONRC)

    Hartford, Connecticutno 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

  • Vaughn Steele, MD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Yale University
  • Michal Assaf, MD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Yale University

Who to contact

Michal Assaf, MD
[email protected]
860-545-7792
Email the study team

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Estimated full-scale IQ\>80
Right handed
Fluent in English
Individual can cooperate with all study's procedures
No history of neurological disorder (e.g. epilepsy) or neurosurgery
No major medical condition (e.g. cancer, heart failure)
No history of significant head injury
No primary relatives with history of any neurological disorder with a potentially hereditary basis, including epilepsy or MS
No current use of medications with psychotropic (e.g., benzodiazepines) or anti- or pro-convulsants
No current substance use (determined by urine screen and breathalyzer in all visits)
Negative urine pregnancy (women) test at time of MRI scans
No MR contra-indications (e.g. in-body metal implant, severe claustrophobia)
No previous participation in our lab in a study including the Domino fMRI task
For ASD: Stable medication treatment 4 weeks prior to study enrollment
For Control Group: No current or history of psychiatric disorders, other than simple phobia, and/or primary relatives with ASD

What this trial measures

  • Mentalizing Task Related (MTR) neural activity in the mentalizing networkduring each fMRI, up to 5 hours

    Change in MTR activity in six brain regions, from fMRI scans will be measured pre- to post-rTMS.