Use of MRI and cTBS for Catatonia in Autism

Inclusion criteria: Individuals aged 15-40 years of age will be enrolled. This age range was selected given the high degree of social development occurring in this life stage, the developmental nature of ASD, and ongoing cTBS-induced changes in MEP amplitude observed in AIC individuals as they age.26,75-77 Subjects and/or guardians must also be fluent in English, diagnosed with ASD based on DSM-5 criteria1 and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-II (ADOS-II) assessment,78 and competent to assent to the study based on investigator clinical evaluation. Consenting guardians will be included if indicated. Subjects, or guardians if subjects cannot consent, must be competent to consent to the study. Subjects must be able to assent to the study as determined by clinical evaluation from the primary investigator. Exclusion Criteria: History of substance abuse/dependence, History of concomitant major medical/neurologic illness History of seizure within one calendar year History of traumatic brain injury Pregnant or currently breastfeeding Are psychiatrically or medically unstable as determined by the investigator clinical evaluation Prescribed medication contraindicated in TMS Have a history of TMS treatment. Are diagnosed with a syndrome which results in ASD symptoms as preliminary research suggests individuals with these diagnoses have differing biomarker responses to TMS.26 Children below the age of fifteen will also be excluded because of decreased likelihood of remaining still in the MRI scanner, as well as for scientific reasons surrounding unknown variability for key variables during pubertal onset. 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. Expresses dissenting behaviors as outlined below.