Repetitive behaviors (RBs) are a prevalent feature of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). There are two groups of RBs: lower-order (e.g. motor stereotypies) and higher-order RBs (e.g. restricted interests), linked to sensory-motor and the associative loops, respectively. To date, treatment options for RBs are very limited. High-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) may be effective in reducing the impact of RBs in children with ASD by targeting the associated brain alterations. Moreover, the high focality of HD-tDCS will help the investigators to disentangle the relative contribution of different brain loops (namely, sensory-motor and the associative loops) into RBs subtypes. The investigators will also study the electrophysiological patterns associated to behavioral changes after the application of HD-tDCS.
participants of both genders with ASD diagnosis according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) and based on clinical evaluation and administration of gold standard tools for ASD diagnosis
an intelligence quotient (IQ) higher or equal to 70 (IQ ≥ 70)
age range from 8 years to 13 years and 11 months included
the presence of neurological/medical/genetic conditions (i.e., brain tumours or genetic syndromes)
personal or family history of epilepsy
other primary psychiatric diagnoses (i.e., bipolar disorders, schizophrenia spectrum disorders, or adjustment disorder)
sensorimotor deficits
Bambino Gesù Hospital and Research Institute
Lead sponsor
Ministero della Salute, Italy
Collaborator