Transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and MeRT, tDCS, and neurofeedback are all non-invasive brain stimulation therapies that have shown potential in the treatment of ASD.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS/rTMS) uses a magnetic field to stimulate nerve cells in the brain. This therapy has been used to improve language and social skills in individuals with ASD. It is believed that rMTS can help to rebalance the activity of the brain's neurons, improving communication between different brain regions.
MeRT (Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy) is a newer form of non-invasive brain stimulation therapy that uses low-frequency electromagnetic fields to stimulate brain activity. MeRT therapy aims to improve brain plasticity, which is the brain's ability to adapt and change in response to experiences. It has been shown to improve socialization, communication, and cognitive function in individuals with ASD.
tDCS (transcranial direct current stimulation) is another form of non-invasive brain stimulation therapy that uses a low-level electrical current to stimulate the brain. It has been used to improve attention, language, and social skills in individuals with ASD. tDCS is believed to improve brain function by increasing the excitability of neurons in the targeted brain region.
Neurofeedback is a type of biofeedback therapy that uses real-time displays of brain activity to teach individuals how to regulate their own brain function. It has been used to improve attention, memory, and social skills in individuals with ASD. During a neurofeedback session, sensors are placed on the scalp to measure brain waves, and the individual receives visual or auditory feedback on their brain activity. Over time, the individual learns to control their brain function more effectively, leading to improvements in their ASD symptoms.
While all of these therapies show potential in the treatment of ASD, they are still relatively new and more research is needed to fully understand their effectiveness and safety. It is important that individuals receive these therapies from qualified healthcare professionals in a safe and controlled environment.
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Neurofeedback
Neurofeedback is a technique in which people learn how to produce more of the brainwaves associated with desired behaviors, such as concentration, attentional focus, relaxation, cooperative behavior, and reduction in irritability, anger, pain, and sleep disturbance. Many mental health conditions and negative thoughts and behaviors are linked to stuck patterns of brain activity. Neurofeedback is a method of retraining your brain to let go of the unhelpful brain-wave patterns. By means of a real-time computer, feedback clients monitor their brainwave activity and restore and regulate arousal levels and central nervous system functioning.
EEG Neurofeedback has proven to be a very effective treatment methodology for autism and sensory disorders in children and adults.
1 in 150 children is affected by autism, and their parents and loved ones often struggle with the challenges related to sensory disorders. EEG Neurofeedback is extremely effective at re-conditioning the brain function of these individuals to improve processing and integration
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)
One of the treatment modalities that has shown the greatest promise for reducing symptoms of autism in recent years is transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). The most recent study was authored by a French group of clinicians and researchers and published in July 2019. This study confirmed and expanded on the findings of previous investigations, which strongly indicate that tDCS could have positive effects on cognition, behaviour and physical health, and improve quality of life and autonomy for a large percentage of individuals with autism. This study was followed by another publication describing significant improvement and in motor skills in a small group of children with autism who received tDCS treatment.
What is tDCS and how does it work?
tDCS is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique in which a small hand-held device delivers a very weak electrical current to specific areas of the brain in order to promote and enhance brain plasticity. The current is delivered via electrodes connected to two sponges that are placed on the head, in correspondence to specific brain regions. The electrodes are linked to a portable device which produces a constant weak current of between 0.5–2 mA, equivalent to the strength of a 9-volt battery. Thus tDCS has a subtle effect – rather than forcing neurons into action, a small portion of the current that penetrates the scalp gently ‘nudges’ and modulates neuronal excitability.
tDCS is inexpensive, easy to apply, and has a well-established safety profile, and as such presents one of the most promising treatment modalities for a range of medical and neurodevelopmental conditions.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive neurostimulation technique that uses electromagnetic induction to stimulate targeted areas of the brain. In TMS, a magnetic coil is placed on the scalp over the targeted area of the brain, and a brief magnetic field is applied to the area. This induces a small electrical current in the brain, which can either activate or inhibit neural activity, depending on the parameters of the stimulation.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was first developed in the mid-1980s as a non-invasive method of stimulating the brain. It was initially used as a diagnostic tool for evaluating the function of the motor cortex in patients with movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease and dystonia. However, researchers soon discovered that TMS could also be used to treat a variety of neurological and psychiatric disorders, including depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
The development of repetitive TMS (rTMS) allowed for longer-lasting effects on brain activity, leading to the possibility of using rTMS as a therapeutic tool. Since then, rTMS has been investigated for its potential use in treating a variety of neurological and psychiatric disorders, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Repetitive TMS (rTMS) is a specific type of TMS in which repeated pulses of magnetic stimulation are delivered to a targeted area of the brain over a period of time. This is believed to induce longer-lasting changes in neural activity compared to single-pulse TMS.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain to improve symptoms of depression. TMS is typically used when other depression treatments haven't been effective. This treatment for depression involves delivering repetitive magnetic pulses, so it's called repetitive TMS or rTMS.
How it works?
During an rTMS session, an electromagnetic coil is placed against your scalp near your forehead. The electromagnet painlessly delivers a magnetic pulse that stimulates nerve cells in the region of your brain involved in mood control and depression. It's thought to activate regions of the brain that have decreased activity in depression.
Though the biology of why rTMS works isn't completely understood, the stimulation appears to impact how the brain is working, which in turn seems to ease depression symptoms and improve mood.
There are different ways to perform the procedure, and techniques may change as experts learn more about the most effective ways to perform treatments.
Some studies have shown that rTMS can lead to improvements in language skills, social communication, and behavioral symptoms in individuals with ASD. However, the evidence is still limited and further research is needed to fully understand the potential benefits of TMS in the treatment of ASD.
There have been several scientific publications on the use of rTMS in the treatment of ASD. Here are some examples:
Enticott, P. G., Fitzgibbon, B. M., Kennedy, H. A., Arnold, S. L., Elliot, D., Peachey, A., ... & Fitzgerald, P. B. (2013). A double‐blind, randomized trial of deep repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for autism spectrum disorder. Brain stimulation, 6(5), 744-751.
This study investigated the effectiveness of deep rTMS in improving social functioning and repetitive behaviors in adults with ASD. The results showed some improvement in social functioning, but not in repetitive behaviors.
Casanova, M. F., Baruth, J. M., El-Baz, A. S., Tasman, A., Sears, L., & Sokhadze, E. M. (2012). Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) modulates event-related potential (ERP) indices of attention in autism. Translational neuroscience, 3(2), 170-180.
This study looked at the effects of rTMS on attention in children with ASD. The results showed that rTMS had a positive effect on attentional processes, as measured by changes in event-related potentials.
Sokhadze, E. M., El-Baz, A. S., Baruth, J. M., Mathai, G., Sears, L., & Casanova, M. F. (2009). Effects of low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on gamma frequency oscillations and event-related potentials during processing of illusory figures in autism. Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 39(4), 619-634.
This study investigated the effects of low-frequency rTMS on gamma frequency oscillations and event-related potentials in children with ASD during the processing of illusory figures. The results showed that rTMS had a positive effect on these measures, suggesting that it may have potential as a therapeutic intervention for ASD.
Overall, while there is still limited research on the use of rTMS in the treatment of ASD, these studies suggest that it may have some potential as a therapeutic intervention. However, more research is needed to fully understand its effectiveness and potential applications.