Deep rTMS(Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) for Treatment of Autism Symptoms in Children With Low Functioning ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorders)

Fecha de inicio: 23 de enero de 2013

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Male or female outpatients 10-19 years of age. Although we assume that the effect of rTMS may be greater in younger children, in whom secondary behavioral issues may be less established, the study will focus on children older than age 10 years for 2 reasons: i. Some cooperation is needed by the children to undergo a rTMS treatment. ii. We would like to establish the efficacy and safety profile of this treatment in older children with autism before we expose younger children, who may need sedation, to it. 2. Meet Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition, Text Revision criteria. Children will have had a diagnosis of ASD prior to the study given by a pediatric neurologist, child psychiatrist or developmental pediatrician. Diagnosis will be confirmed by Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-G) and Autism Diagnostic Interview (ADI-R) 3. VABS-II score in the low-very low range. This study is recruiting low functioning individuals with Autism. Although some of the assessment tools (i.e. ASRS) are standardized and validated on individuals without intellectual disabilities, there has been experience using these tools in children with autism in all intellectual levels. In addition, because we are measuring a change over time and not endorsing a diagnosis, we feel that using these tools is sufficient. 4. Have normal physical examination. 5. TAS (Transcranial magnetic stimulation Safety Screen questionnaire) is negative or mitigated as per parent prior to the study. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Patients born prior to 37 weeks gestational age. 2. Patients with any primary psychiatric diagnosis other than autism at screening. 3. Patients with a medical history of neurological disease, including, but not limited to, movement disorder, tuberous sclerosis, fragile X, and any other known genetic syndromes, or known abnormal MRI/structural lesion of the brain or a history of traumatic brain injury. 4. Patients with a medical history of epilepsy/seizure disorder 5. Patients with a family history of epilepsy in a first degree relative (parent or sibling) 6. Patients with a medical condition other then autism 7. Patients prescribed with psychoactive medication(s) less then 4 weeks prior to joining the study. 8. Patients with a medical history head trauma associated with prolonged loss of consciousness. 9. History of metal foreign body in the head, excluding oral devices 10. History of known anatomical brain abnormality 11. Hearing loss 12. participation in an ongoing other interventional study Discontinuation criteria: 1. The patient or legal guardian refuses to continue 2. The RC decides that the patient is not suitable to continue the study 3. Severe side effects