Cited by 5Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation StudiesAutism Spectrum Disorder ResearchTreatment of Major Depression

Probing the Neurodynamic Mechanisms of Cognitive Flexibility in Depressed Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Elmaghraby, Rana, Blank, Elizabeth, Miyakoshi, Makoto, Gilbert, Donald L., Wu, Steve W., Larsh, Travis, Westerkamp, Grace, Liu, Yanchen +3 more·2025·Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology

Abstract

Introduction: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by deficits in social behavior and executive function (EF), particularly in cognitive flexibility. Whether transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can improve cognitive outcomes in patients with ASD remains an open question. We examined the acute effects of prefrontal TMS on cortical excitability and fluid cognition in individuals with ASD who underwent TMS for refractory major depression. Methods: We analyzed data from an open-label pilot study involving nine participants with ASD and treatment-resistant depression who received 30 sessions of accelerated theta burst stimulation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, either unilaterally or bilaterally. Electroencephalography data were collected at baseline and 1, 4, and 12-weeks posttreatment and analyzed using a mixed-effects linear model to assess changes in regional cortical excitability using three models of spectral parametrization. Fluid cognition was measured using the National Institutes of Health Toolbox Cognitive Battery. Results: Prefrontal TMS led to a decrease in prefrontal cortical excitability and an increase in right temporoparietal excitability, as measured using spectral exponent analysis. This was associated with a significant improvement in the NIH Toolbox Fluid Cognition Composite score and the Dimensional Change Card Sort subtest from baseline to 12 weeks posttreatment (t = 3.79, p = 0.005, n = 9). Improvement in depressive symptomatology was significant (HDRS-17, F (3, 21) = 28.49, p < 0.001) and there was a significant correlation between cognitive improvement at week 4 and improvement in depression at week 12 (r = 0.71, p = 0.05). Conclusion: These findings link reduced prefrontal excitability in patients with ASD and improvements in cognitive flexibility. The degree to which these mechanisms can be generalized to ASD populations without Major Depressive Disorder remains a compelling question for future research.

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Crossref · 10.1089/cap.2024.0109

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Cited works that were retracted

Works this paper cites that were later retracted, from the retraction notices publishers deposit. Major when the notice came out before this paper was published.

  • Cites a retracted work: 10.1016/j.rasd.2011.01.025

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    The cited work was retracted on 2016-01-01 (notice 10.1016/j.rasd.2015.10.007), before this paper was published (2025-01-10). Its authors could have known.

    Cited work 10.1016/j.rasd.2011.01.025 · retracted 2016-01-01 · notice 10.1016/j.rasd.2015.10.007 · this paper published 2025-01-10

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  1. 10.1277/9/dnd.2016.15.4.103 · DOI
  2. 10.2254/1/au.166733713.33443910/v1 · DOI
  3. Lan T et al. Estimating cognitive state using EEG signals. In: 2005 13th European Signal Processing Conference; IEEE; 2005 pp. 1–4 https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/7078224/
  4. 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.0092310.3389/fpsyt.2019.00923.s001 · DOI

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Authors
Elmaghraby, R., Blank, E., Miyakoshi, M., Gilbert, D. L., Wu, S. W., Larsh, T., Westerkamp, G., Liu, Y., Horn, P. S., Erickson, C. A., & Pedapati, E. V.
Affiliations
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (US)
Corresponding author
Elmaghraby, Rana
Venue
Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology
Published
2025-01-10
Volume
35
Issue
4
Pages
231-243
ISSN
  • 1044-5463 (ISSN-L)
  • 1557-8992
OpenAlex
W4406270145
Cited by
5
References
80
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 3
FWCI
1.81
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Studies
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
Keywords
autism spectrum disorder, major depressive disorder, cognitive flexibility, transcranial magnetic stimulation, theta burst stimulation, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, cortical excitability, fluid cognition, executive function, treatment-resistant depression, NIH Toolbox
MeSH terms
Autism Spectrum Disorder, Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex, Cognitive Flexibility, Adolescent, Adult, Cognition, Major Depressive Disorder, Depressive Disorder, Major, Electroencephalography, Female, Humans, Male, Pilot Projects, Prefrontal Cortex, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, Young Adult, Executive Function, Depressive Disorder, Treatment-Resistant

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