title: The short-term effects of transcranial direct current stimulation on electroencephalography in children with autism: a randomized crossover controlled trial.
abstract: Abnormal synaptic maturation and connectivity are possible etiologies of autism. Previous studies showed significantly less alpha activity in autism than normal children. Therefore, we studied the effects of anodal tDCS on peak alpha frequency (PAF) related to autism treatment evaluation checklist (ATEC). Twenty male children with autism were randomly assigned in a crossover design to receive a single session of both active and sham tDCS stimulation (11 mA) over F3 (left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex). Pre- to postsession changes in a measure of cortical activity impacted by tDCS (PAF) and ATEC were compared between groups. We also examined the associations between pre- and postsession changes in the PAF and ATEC. The results show significant pre- to postsession improvements in two domains of ATEC (social and health/behavior domains) following active tDCS, relative to sham treatment. PAF also significantly increased at the stimulation site, and an increase in PAF was significantly associated with improvements in the two domains of ATEC impacted by tDCS. The findings suggest that a single session of anodal tDCS over the F3 may have clinical benefits in children with autism and that those benefits may be related to an increase in PAF.
authors: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand.
authors: Anuwat
authors: 0000-0002-8629-5799
authors: A
authors: Amatachaya
authors: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific Street, P.O. Box 356490, Seattle, WA 98195-6490, USA.
authors: Mark P
authors: MP
authors: Jensen
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand.
authors: Niramol
authors: N
authors: Patjanasoontorn
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand.
authors: Narong
authors: 0000-0001-6967-8600
authors: N
authors: Auvichayapat
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand.
authors: Chanyut
authors: 0000-0001-6170-0332
authors: C
authors: Suphakunpinyo
authors: Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ubon Ratchathani University, Ubon Ratchathani 34190, Thailand.
authors: Suparerk
authors: S
authors: Janjarasjitt
authors: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand.
authors: Niran
authors: 0000-0003-1387-9432
authors: N
authors: Ngernyam
authors: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand.
authors: Benchaporn
authors: B
authors: Aree-uea
authors: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand.
authors: Paradee
authors: 0000-0003-1829-2753
authors: P
authors: Auvichayapat
mesh_terms: D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors; D065908:Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome