Abstract:
Noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) has been increasingly investigated during the last decade as a treatment option for persons with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Yet, previous studies did not reach a consensus on a superior treatment protocol or stimulation target. Persons with ASD often suffer from social isolation and high rates of unemployment, arising from difficulties in social interaction. ASD involves multiple neural systems involved in perception, language, and cognition, and the underlying brain networks of these functional domains have been well documented. Aiming to provide an overview of NIBS effects when targeting these neural systems in late adolescent and adult ASD, we conducted a systematic search of the literature starting at 631 non-duplicate publications, leading to six studies corresponding with inclusion and exclusion criteria. We discuss these studies regarding their treatment rationale and the accordingly chosen methodological setup. The results of these studies vary, while methodological advances may allow to explain some of the variability. Based on these insights, we discuss strategies for future clinical trials to personalize the selection of brain stimulation targets taking into account intersubject variability of brain anatomy as well as function.
摘要:
在过去的十年中,非侵入性脑刺激(NIBS)作为自闭症谱系障碍(ASD)患者的治疗选择得到了越来越多的研究。然而,以往的研究未就优越的治疗方案或刺激目标达成共识.自闭症患者经常遭受社会孤立和高失业率,由社会交往中的困难引起的。ASD涉及多个参与感知的神经系统,语言,和认知,这些功能域的潜在大脑网络已经有了很好的记录。旨在概述在晚期青少年和成人ASD中针对这些神经系统的NIBS效应,我们从631篇非重复出版物开始对文献进行了系统的搜索,导致符合纳入和排除标准的6项研究。我们讨论了这些研究的治疗原理和相应选择的方法设置。这些研究的结果各不相同,而方法论的进步可能允许解释一些可变性。基于这些见解,我们讨论了未来临床试验的策略,以个性化选择脑刺激目标,同时考虑脑解剖结构和功能的受试者间差异。