Fronto-cerebellar tDCS in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Introduction Recent studies on autistic patients reportedan altered connectivity between prefrontal cortex and cerebellum. Disruption of specific cerebro-cerebellar networks interferes with the functional and structural specialization of cortical regions involved in motor control, language, and social interaction leading to the impairments found Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)(1). Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is a safe, painless and easy-to-administer technique for the focal modulation of cortical brain areas, with negligible side-effects. Previous studies from our group showed the feasibility and efficacy of tDCS in reverting some of the behavioral symptoms of adult autistic patients. (2) The aim of the present study was to replicate those positive preliminary results using fronto-cerebellar tDCS in a sample of children with ASD. Methods Twenty patients (16 M, 4F) with ASD, aged 9 to 14 years, were randomized to receive either active or sham tDCS. Active treatment consisted in 20 daily sessions of 20 minutes/1.0 mA (age ≤ 10) or 1.5 mA (age > 11) tDCS. Sham was identical to active treatment except that the stimulation was stopped after 1 minute. The anode was placed in F3 and the cathode in the occipital region corresponding to the right cerebellum. During the treatment, no changes were made to the pharmacological and rehabilitative therapies in progress. Behavioral symptoms (Aberrant Behavior Checklist - ABC), effect of treatment (Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist - ATEC), and parental stress (Parental Stress Index–PSI) were assessed just before and 1 week after the completion of the treatment. Results Seven patients in the active and 9 in the sham group completed the treatment. ABC and ATEC scores significantly decreased in the active group, while no change was observed in the sham group. Conclusion Our findings suggest that fronto-cerebellar tDCS may have a role for the treatment of children with ASD.