Targeting Gamma‐Related Pathophysiology in Autism Spectrum Disorder Using Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Opportunities and Challenges
Abstract
A range of scalp electroencephalogram (EEG) abnormalities correlates with the core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Among these are alterations of brain oscillations in the gamma‐frequency EEG band in adults and children with ASD, whose origin has been linked to dysfunctions of inhibitory interneuron signaling. While therapeutic interventions aimed to modulate gamma oscillations are being tested for neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, and frontotemporal dementia, the prospects for therapeutic gamma modulation in ASD have not been extensively studied. Accordingly, we discuss gamma‐related alterations in the setting of ASD pathophysiology, as well as potential interventions that can enhance gamma oscillations in patients with ASD. Ultimately, we argue that transcranial electrical stimulation modalities capable of entraining gamma oscillations, and thereby potentially modulating inhibitory interneuron circuitry, are promising methods to study and mitigate gamma alterations in ASD. Autism Res 2020, 13: 1051‐1071. © 2020 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- May 28, 2020
- Source ID
- 10.1002/aur.2312
Entities
People
- Alexander Rotenberg
- Ali Jannati
- Emiliano Santarnecchi
- Fae B Kayarian
Organizations
- Autism Speaks
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
- Canadian Institutes of Health Research
- Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
- Eisai
- Harvard Medical School
- Hoffmann-La Roche
- Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity
- National Institutes of Health
- Office of the Director of National Intelligence
- Sage Therapeutics (United States)
- Takeda Science Foundation