Abstract
Background: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a safe and efficacious technique to stimulate specific areas of cortical dysfunction in several neuropsychiatric diseases; however, it is not known whether high-frequency rTMS (HF-rTMS) over the left inferior parietal lobule, in low functioning children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), improves core symptoms. Method: Eleven low-functioning children with ASD completed two separate HF-rTMS treatment courses, 6 weeks apart. Each treatment course involved five 5-s trains at 20 Hz, with 10-min inter-train intervals, on left inferior parietal lobule each consecutive weekday for a 3-week period (15 treatments per course). Subjects were assessed at five time points: immediately before and after the first HF-rTMS course, immediately before and after the second HF-rTMS course, and 6 weeks after the second rTMS treatment course. Treatment effectiveness was evaluated using the Verbal Behavior Assessment Scale (VerBAS) and Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC). The latter test consists of four subtest scales: Language, Sociability, Sensory, and Behavior. In addition, daily treatment logbooks completed by parents were considered as one of the outcome measures. Results: Participants showed a significant reduction in language- and social-related symptoms measured by ATEC from pretreatment to the 6-week follow-up after the second treatment course. Moreover, some possible improvements in imitation and cognition were reported by caregivers. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that HF-rTMS over the left parietal cortex might improve core deficits in low-functioning children with ASD.
Highlights
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by deficits in social communication and stereotyped behaviors [1]
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation is a safe and efficacious technique to stimulate specific areas of cortical dysfunction in several neuropsychiatric diseases; it is not known whether high-frequency rTMS (HF-rTMS) over the left inferior parietal lobule, in low functioning children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), improves core symptoms
Participants showed a significant reduction in language- and social-related symptoms measured by Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) from pretreatment to the 6-week follow-up after the second treatment course
Summary
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by deficits in social communication and stereotyped behaviors [1]. Despite the spectrum’s extreme heterogeneity, deficits in social cognition, including reduced social responsiveness, difficulty interacting with others, and recognizing others’ intentions and emotions, are core features of ASD [1]. Dysfunction of the mirror neuron system (MNS) has been postulated in the pathophysiology of ASD [2]. The mirror neuron system (MNS) enables individuals to interpret motor acts of others and promotes the development of social cognition, such as emotion and empathy [3]. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a safe and efficacious technique to stimulate specific areas of cortical dysfunction in several neuropsychiatric diseases; it is not known whether high-frequency rTMS (HF-rTMS) over the left inferior parietal lobule, in low functioning children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), improves core symptoms
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