Abstract
Exciting developments have taken place in the neuroscience research in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and results from these studies indicate that brain in ASD is associated with aberrant neuroplasticity. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has rapidly evolved to become a widely used, safe, and non-invasive neuroscientific tool to investigate a variety of neurophysiological processes, including neuroplasticity. The diagnostic and therapeutic potential of TMS in ASD is beginning to be realized. In this article, we briefly reviewed evidence of aberrant neuroplasticity in ASD, suggested future directions in assessing neuroplasticity using repetitive TMS (rTMS), and discussed the potential of rTMS in rectifying aberrant neuroplasticity in ASD.
Highlights
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction and stereotyped behaviors, interests, and activities [Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5)] [1]
Since the turn of the century, significant advancements have been made in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) research, and a range of macro- and micro-structural, neurochemical, functional, anatomic, and genetic abnormalities have been proposed [see reviews by Rubenstein and Merzenich [3], Parellada et al [4], Chen et al [5], Ameis and Catani [6]]; despite gaining important leads, the exact etiology of ASD is still unknown and successful treatment remains elusive
One mechanism that has recently received a large amount of support suggesting its role in the pathophysiology of ASD is aberrant neuroplasticity [7, 8] several lines of evidence from genetic [9,10,11,12,13] to animal model [7, 14], neuroimaging [15, 16], and brain stimulation [17, 18] research have all begun to implicate aberrant neuroplasticity in ASD
Summary
Exciting developments have taken place in the neuroscience research in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and results from these studies indicate that brain in ASD is associated with aberrant neuroplasticity. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has rapidly evolved to become a widely used, safe, and non-invasive neuroscientific tool to investigate a variety of neurophysiological processes, including neuroplasticity. The diagnostic and therapeutic potential of TMS in ASD is beginning to be realized. We briefly reviewed evidence of aberrant neuroplasticity in ASD, suggested future directions in assessing neuroplasticity using repetitive TMS (rTMS), and discussed the potential of rTMS in rectifying aberrant neuroplasticity in ASD
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
