MRI + cTBS for Catatonia in Autism

Overseen By Sarah Mahler, MS

Age: < 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Phase 1

Sponsor: Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Must not be taking: TMS contraindicated medications

Disqualifiers: Substance abuse, Major illness, Seizure, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

Duration: 1 day

40 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether specific brain activity patterns link to catatonia—a condition where a person can't move or respond—in individuals with autism. It employs brain imaging and a non-invasive brain stimulation method called continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) to investigate any connection between brain hyper-excitability and catatonia symptoms. Individuals diagnosed with autism who experience catatonia or social-emotional challenges might be suitable candidates. Participants must understand and agree to participate in English and should not have a history of seizures or major medical illnesses. As a Phase 1 trial, this research aims to understand how the treatment works in people, offering participants the chance to be among the first to receive this innovative approach.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but it excludes those prescribed medication contraindicated in TMS (a type of brain stimulation). It's best to discuss your current medications with the trial team to see if they are allowed.

What prior data suggests that this method is safe for individuals with autism?

Research has shown that continuous theta-burst stimulation (cTBS) has been tested for safety in children with autism. One study found that applying cTBS to brain areas controlling movement was generally safe and well-tolerated. Most participants did not experience serious side effects. Another review suggests that the safety and comfort of this treatment in children are similar to those in adults. However, the long-term effects remain under investigation. Overall, early findings are promising regarding the safety of cTBS for children with autism. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) for catatonia in autism because it represents a novel approach compared to current treatments like benzodiazepines or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Unlike these traditional methods, cTBS uses magnetic fields to modulate brain activity non-invasively, potentially offering fewer side effects and a more targeted intervention. This technique could provide quicker symptom relief and be a more comfortable experience for patients, who often find existing options invasive or slow to act. The precision of cTBS in adjusting neural circuits uniquely positions it as a promising alternative for managing catatonia symptoms in individuals with autism.

What evidence suggests that this treatment might be an effective treatment for catatonia in autism?

Studies have shown that continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) can improve social communication in children with autism. Research indicates that cTBS targets specific brain areas to enhance social skills and communication. In some cases, a personalized approach with cTBS has led to better social outcomes. Although limited information exists on its effect on catatonia in autism, this trial will investigate cTBS's potential to calm overactive brain activity, possibly related to catatonia symptoms. Initial findings suggest that focusing on the motor cortex with cTBS might address key features of autism, including catatonia. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals aged 15-40 with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), diagnosed by DSM-5 criteria and ADOS-II assessment. Participants must understand English, be able to give consent or have a guardian who can, and be medically stable. Exclusions include substance abuse history, major medical issues, seizures within the last year, pregnancy/breastfeeding, metal in body/pacemakers/claustraphobia that affect MRI safety.

Inclusion Criteria

I am between 15 and 40 years old.

Subjects and/or guardians must also be fluent in English, diagnosed with ASD based on DSM-5 criteria and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-II (ADOS-II) assessment, and competent to assent to the study based on investigator clinical evaluation

I, or my guardian, can legally agree to participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria

You have a history of drug or alcohol abuse.

History of concomitant major medical/neurologic illness

MRI scanning also introduces exclusionary criteria for conditions contraindicated to MRI, thus individuals with any bodily metal, history of claustrophobia, or pacemakers will be excluded

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Baseline Assessment

Initial assessments including Bush Francis catatonia rating scale and psychological testing

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Application of continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) and measurement of motor evoked potentials

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Continuous Theta Burst

Trial Overview The study aims to find biomarkers for catatonia in autism using individual brain MRIs to guide transcranial magnetic stimulation (cTBS) targeting the motor strip. It will explore if brain hyper-excitability correlates with catatonia symptoms and social-emotional impairment in autistic individuals.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Individuals with a diagnosis of autism Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Individuals with an autism diagnosis

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

922

Recruited

939,000+

Vanderbilt Kennedy Center

Collaborator

Trials

3

Recruited

160+

Published Research Related to This Trial

The catatonic syndrome is a complex neurobehavioral disorder that can provide insights into the relationship between motivation and movement, highlighting the importance of understanding its neurobiological underpinnings.

Recent studies suggest that the anterior and midcingulate cortices, along with striatal and thalamic regions, play crucial roles in the catatonic syndrome, which may inform future therapeutic approaches.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cingulate-basal ganglia-thalamo-cortical aspects of catatonia and implications for treatment. Fricchione, G., Beach, S.[2020]

In a pilot study involving 10 male children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) showed promising improvements in executive function and repetitive behaviors after 15 treatment sessions over 3 weeks.

The iTBS treatment was well tolerated with no serious adverse effects reported, indicating its potential safety as a therapeutic option for addressing cognitive deficits in ASD.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Intermittent theta-burst transcranial magnetic stimulation for autism spectrum disorder: an open-label pilot study. Abujadi, C., Croarkin, PE., Bellini, BB., et al.[2019]

Catatonia can occur in about 14% of adolescents and young adults with autism, and its symptoms can overlap with those of autism, making diagnosis important when there is a noticeable decline in movement and self-care skills.

Effective treatments for catatonia in individuals with autism include benzodiazepines and electroconvulsive therapy, which can be beneficial in both acute and maintenance phases of treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Catatonia in autism: implications across the life span. Kakooza-Mwesige, A., Wachtel, LE., Dhossche, DM.[2021]

A 40-year-old woman with schizoaffective disorder and catatonia showed significant decreases in brain perfusion in key areas (left parietal and motor cortices) during an acute episode, as revealed by a SPECT scan.

Treatment with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) led to a complete resolution of catatonia and improved depressive symptoms, with follow-up SPECT scans showing restored perfusion in the affected brain regions, suggesting that SPECT imaging could be valuable for tracking treatment responses in catatonia.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

ECT treatment and cerebral perfusion in Catatonia. Galynker, II., Weiss, J., Ongseng, F., et al.[2016]

In a study of nine patients with catatonia due to schizophrenia or mood disorders, ECT significantly reduced catatonic symptoms, demonstrating its efficacy as a treatment.

Patients with mood disorders required fewer ECT sessions and showed greater clinical improvement, which was associated with increased cerebral blood flow in specific brain regions, unlike those with schizophrenia.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Clinical and cerebral blood flow changes in catatonic patients treated with ECT. Escobar, R., Rios, A., Montoya, ID., et al.[2019]

In a pilot study involving 13 adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) applied over the bilateral posterior superior temporal sulcus (pSTS) showed significant immediate improvements in parent-rated autistic symptoms after 5 days of treatment.

The effectiveness of iTBS on cognitive flexibility and clinical symptoms was influenced by individual factors such as baseline social-communicative impairment, cognitive performance, and concurrent psychotropic medication use, highlighting the need for personalized approaches in future trials.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

5-day multi-session intermittent theta burst stimulation over bilateral posterior superior temporal sulci in adults with autism-a pilot study. Ni, HC., Lin, HY., Chen, YL., et al.[2022]

Theta burst stimulation (TBS) appears to be safe and tolerable for children and adolescents, with reported adverse events mostly being mild, such as headaches, similar to those seen in adults.

Despite the promising safety profile, there is a lack of long-term studies on TBS in younger populations, highlighting the need for further research to better understand its effects and potential risks.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Systematic Review of the Safety and Tolerability of Theta Burst Stimulation in Children and Adolescents. Elmaghraby, R., Sun, Q., Ozger, C., et al.[2023]

Continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) was found to be safe and well-tolerated in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) or bipolar depression (BD), with no significant differences in adverse events compared to sham treatment.

However, the meta-analysis of three randomized controlled trials involving 78 participants showed no significant improvement in depression scores or response rates with cTBS compared to sham, indicating that cTBS may not provide a therapeutic advantage for treating major depressive episodes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adjunctive continuous theta burst stimulation for major depressive disorder or bipolar depression: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies. Cai, DB., Qin, XD., Qin, ZJ., et al.[2023]

The change in motor evoked potential (ΔMEP) measured 15 minutes after continuous theta-burst stimulation (cTBS) of the motor cortex is a significant biomarker that can help distinguish adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) from neurotypical individuals, based on a study involving 91 participants.

The effectiveness of ΔMEP as a diagnostic tool is influenced by specific genetic polymorphisms related to neuroplasticity, particularly the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and apolipoprotein E (APOE) genes, suggesting that genetic factors may play a role in the neurophysiological responses observed.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Modulation of motor cortical excitability by continuous theta-burst stimulation in adults with autism spectrum disorder. Jannati, A., Ryan, MA., Block, G., et al.[2023]

A systematic review of 19 neuroimaging studies revealed that traditional motor/behavioral catatonia assessments focus on dopamine-mediated cortical and subcortical motor regions, while the Northoff Catatonia Rating Scale (NCRS) highlights issues in higher-order frontoparietal networks related to GABA and glutamate transmission.

The findings suggest that GABAergic treatments are particularly effective for acute catatonia, emphasizing the need to consider both motor and affective symptoms in understanding and treating catatonia, as originally proposed by Karl Kahlbaum.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Going Back to Kahlbaum's Psychomotor (and GABAergic) Origins: Is Catatonia More Than Just a Motor and Dopaminergic Syndrome? Hirjak, D., Kubera, KM., Wolf, RC., et al.[2021]

In a study involving 25 adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a single session of intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) significantly improved reaction times on a neuropsychological test compared to sham stimulation, indicating potential efficacy in enhancing cognitive function.

No significant improvements were observed with iTBS over the posterior superior temporal sulcus (pSTS), and behavioral outcomes showed inconsistent results, suggesting that further research is needed to explore the effects of multiple sessions of iTBS on both neuropsychological and behavioral functions in ASD.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Impact of Single Session Intermittent Theta-Burst Stimulation over the Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex and Posterior Superior Temporal Sulcus on Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Ni, HC., Hung, J., Wu, CT., et al.[2020]

Citations

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Evaluating the feasibility, safety and efficacy of accelerated ... Accelerated continuous theta-burst stimulation targeting the left primary motor cortex to improve social communication impairment in children with autism.

2. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06016764

Use of MRI and CTBS for Catatonia in Autism Completion of this project would result in the first study to associate hyper-excitability of the brain with catatonia and core features of autism; findings ...

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7083078/

Continuous Theta-Burst Stimulation in Children With High- ... Conclusions: The results support the utility of cTBS measures of cortical plasticity as a biomarker for children and adolescents with HF-ASD and ...

4. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0006322325000241

Personalized Theta Burst Stimulation Enhances Social ... Field mapping analysis revealed that greater electric field overlap between standard and optimized targets predicted better treatment outcomes.

5. med.stanford.edu med.stanford.edu/content/dam/sm/scsnl/documents/xiao_Et_al_2025.pdf

Personalized Theta Burst Stimulation Enhances Social Skills ... CONCLUSIONS: Personalized AOFC-guided cTBS enhanced social skills and communication in minimally verbal children with autism by modulating ...

6. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1094715921064242

A Systematic Review of the Safety and Tolerability of Theta ... TBS interventions in children may have similar safety, tolerability, and feasibility as compared to adults. However, long-term, follow-up studies of TBS are ...

7. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1549982/pdf

Feasibility, safety, and efficacy of high-dose intermittent ... Intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) is a variant of excitatory repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, inducing long-term ...