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Published on: August 9, 2024
Effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on children with low-function autism
Jian-Nan Kang1, Jia-Jia Song1, Manuel F Casanova2
1College of Electronic & Information Engineering, Hebei University, Baoding, China.
Insights
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) shows promise for improving brain activity and behavior in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study found significant improvements in neural function and behavioral outcomes in children receiving rTMS compared to a control group.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder impacting social interaction and behavior.
- Previous research suggests low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) may benefit children with ASD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of rTMS on brain activity and behavioral responses in children with autism spectrum disorder.
- To evaluate rTMS as a potential neurotherapy for improving functional outcomes in ASD.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 32 children with low-function autism.
- 16 children received twice-weekly rTMS treatment; 16 served as a waitlist control group.
- Electroencephalography (EEG) measured peak alpha frequency (PAF) and coherence; Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC) assessed behavioral changes.
Main Results:
- Significant increases in PAF were observed in frontal, temporal, and occipital regions.
- Alpha coherence increased between central and right temporal regions.
- rTMS treatment led to significant positive changes in ABC scores, indicating behavioral improvement.
Conclusions:
- Combined rTMS neurotherapy demonstrated positive effects in the active treatment group compared to the waitlist group.
- rTMS is a promising therapeutic approach for improving behavioral and functional outcomes in children with ASD.
- The study supports the hypothesis that rTMS can positively modulate neural activity and behavior in ASD.
Background:
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a very complex neurodevelopmental disorder, characterized by social difficulties and stereotypical or repetitive behavior. Some previous studies using low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) have proven of benefit in ASD children.
Methods:
In this study, 32 children (26 males and six females) with low-function autism were enrolled, 16 children (three females and 13 males; mean ± SD age: 7.8 ± 2.1 years) received rTMS treatment twice every week, while the remaining 16 children (three females and 13 males; mean ± SD age: 7.2 ± 1.6 years) served as waitlist group. This study investigated the effects of rTMS on brain activity and behavioral response in the autistic children.
Results:
Peak alpha frequency (PAF) is an electroencephalographic measure of cognitive preparedness and might be a neural marker of cognitive function for the autism. Coherence is one way to assess the brain functional connectivity of ASD children, which has proven abnormal in previous studies. The results showed significant increases in the PAF at the frontal region, the left temporal region, the right temporal region and the occipital region and a significant increase of alpha coherence between the central region and the right temporal region. Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC) scores were also compared before and after receiving rTMS with positive effects shown on behavior.
Conclusion:
These findings supported our hypothesis by demonstration of positive effects of combined rTMS neurotherapy in active treatment group as compared to the waitlist group, as the rTMS group showed significant improvements in behavioral and functional outcomes as compared to the waitlist group.
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