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TMS: Using the Theta-Burst Protocol to Explore Mechanism of Plasticity in Individuals with Fragile X Syndrome and Autism
Published on: December 28, 2010
Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation Improves Sleep in Autism Spectrum Disorder by Reorganizing Overlapping Brain
Huashuang Zhang1, Bincan Xiong1, Hongchi Liu2
1The Third Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Foshan University, Foshan, Guangdong, China.
CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics
|August 13, 2026
Summary
Intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) improved sleep in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by altering brain network architecture. These changes are linked to specific receptor systems and neuronal signaling pathways.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Brain Network Analysis
- Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
Background:
- Overlapping network architecture is crucial for brain function and may be an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) biomarker.
- The biological basis of intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS)-induced changes in this architecture is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the biological context of iTBS-related changes in overlapping network architecture in ASD patients with chronic insomnia.
Main Methods:
- Randomized controlled trial of real or sham iTBS in 70 ASD patients with insomnia over 8 weeks.
- Assessed sleep using the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and brain network changes via resting-state fMRI.
- Analyzed network architecture using Shannon entropy and explored links to neurotransmitter systems and gene expression.
Main Results:
- Real iTBS improved sleep and altered overlapping network architecture in 13 cortical regions.
- Network changes correlated with mGluR5 and GABA_A receptor density.
- Affected regions involved glutamatergic signaling, calcium pathways, and excitatory neuronal signatures, linked to adolescent peak expression and Ca2+-PKA signaling.
Conclusions:
- This study offers multiscale biological insights into how iTBS affects brain network architecture in ASD with insomnia.