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Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for Depression in Autism

  • Study IRB#:2000035486
  • Last Updated:04/28/2026

This study will evaluate the effects of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), a type of noninvasive brain stimulation for potentially treating depression in autistic individuals. TMS is a therapy that has been approved for conditions like depression, anxious depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Depression is common in autism so there is a need to better understand why autistic individuals have higher rates of depression than neurotypical individuals. In addition, many autistic individuals with depression may not respond to the standard antidepressant medications. In our study we conduct clinical assessments, then EEG and eye tracking experiments before and after TMS.

Participation consists of 2 or 3 visits to our lab and participants will be compensated up to $250.

    Contact Us

    For more information about this study, including how to volunteer, contact:

    The McPartland Lab

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    You can help our team find trials you might be eligible for by creating a volunteer profile in MyChart. To get started, create a volunteer profile, or contact helpusdiscover@yale.edu, or call +18779788343 for more information.

    CREATE A VOLUNTEER PROFILE

    Trial Purpose and Description

    This study will evaluate the effects of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), a type of noninvasive brain stimulation for potentially treating depression in autistic individuals. TMS is a therapy that has been approved for conditions like depression, anxious depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Depression is common in autism so there is a need to better understand why autistic individuals have higher rates of depression than neurotypical individuals. In addition, many autistic individuals with depression may not respond to the standard antidepressant medications. In our study we conduct clinical assessments, then EEG and eye tracking experiments before and after TMS.

    Participation consists of 2 or 3 visits to our lab and participants will be compensated up to $250.

    Eligibility Criteria

    • Age: 18-40
    • Gender: Both
    • Autistic adults with or without depression


    For more information, visit the lab website: mcp-lab.org

    Principal Investigator

    Sub-Investigators

    For more information about this study, including how to volunteer, contact:

    The McPartland Lab