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Individual differences in brain dynamics across a social cognition network induced by cortico-cerebellar tDCS in adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

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Title: Individual differences in brain dynamics across a social cognition network induced by cortico-cerebellar tDCS in adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Authors: Tesche CD; Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA. Electronic address: ctesche@unm.edu., Wilson JE; Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA; Department of Health and Human Services - Communicative Disorders, Eastern New Mexico University, Portales, NM, USA.
Source: NeuroImage [Neuroimage] 2026 Oct 01; Vol. 339, pp. 122194. Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 Sep 01.
Publication Type: Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial
Language: English
Journal Info: Publisher: Academic Press Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 9215515 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1095-9572 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 10538119 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Neuroimage Subsets: MEDLINE
Imprint Name(s): Original Publication: Orlando, FL : Academic Press, c1992-
MeSH Terms: Autism Spectrum Disorder*/physiopathology , Autism Spectrum Disorder*/therapy , Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation*/methods , Cerebellum*/physiopathology , Cerebral Cortex*/physiopathology , Nerve Net*/physiopathology , Social Cognition* , Individuality*, Humans ; Male ; Female ; Young Adult ; Adult ; Magnetoencephalography ; Double-Blind Method ; Adolescent
Abstract: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition with core diagnostic domains of social communication impairments, restricted interests and repetitive behaviors. Idiosyncratic brain organization is a potential hallmark of ASD. Previous transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) studies often targeted dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, with changes oin brain dynamics averaged across the cohort. We utilized a magnetoencephalographic (MEG) array to characterize individual differences in brain dynamics induced by cortico-cerebellar tDCS across nodes of a social cognition network. A randomized, sham-controlled, double-blind, within-subject clinical trial was conducted in a cohort of 24 young adults with ASD or high autistic traits. Two separate sessions of computerized social learning activities were combined with verum/sham tDCS, with anodal electrode over right temporoparietal junction (TPJ) and cathode on right deltoid. Following stimulation, theta- and alpha-band activity were evaluated within nodes of a social cognition network: bilateral TPJ, fusiform, medial prefrontal cortex and Crus I/II of cerebellum. Idiosyncratic participant-specific up- and down-regulation of theta- and alpha-band activity occurred across the network. Activity in right Crus I/II, a region inundated by the stimulation current, strongly correlated with the change of activity summed across all cerebral cortical nodes in theta- but not alpha-band. Intrinsic theta-band activity is believed to mediate input/output relationships in cerebellar cortex and to drive synaptic plasticity. These results suggest that theta-band stimulation of cerebellar cortex might be an effective therapy for individuals on the autism spectrum who present with cerebellar hyperactivity.
(Copyright © 2026 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no financial interests or personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests.
Contributed Indexing: Keywords: Autism; Brain networks; Cerebellum; Magnetoencephalography (meg); Social cognition; Theta; Transcranial direct current stimulation (tdcs)
Entry Date(s): Date Created: 20260901 Date Completed: 20260911 Latest Revision: 20260916
Update Code: 20260917
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2026.122194
PMID: 42680022
Database: MEDLINE
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  Data: Individual differences in brain dynamics across a social cognition network induced by cortico-cerebellar tDCS in adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Tesche+CD%22">Tesche CD</searchLink>; Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA. Electronic address: ctesche@unm.edu.<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Wilson+JE%22">Wilson JE</searchLink>; Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA; Department of Health and Human Services - Communicative Disorders, Eastern New Mexico University, Portales, NM, USA.
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  Data: Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial
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  Data: <i>Publisher: </i><searchLink fieldCode="PB" term="%22Academic+Press%22">Academic Press </searchLink><i>Country of Publication: </i>United States <i>NLM ID: </i>9215515 <i>Publication Model: </i>Print-Electronic <i>Cited Medium: </i>Internet <i>ISSN: </i>1095-9572 (Electronic) <i>Linking ISSN: </i><searchLink fieldCode="IS" term="%2210538119%22">10538119 </searchLink><i>NLM ISO Abbreviation: </i>Neuroimage <i>Subsets: </i>MEDLINE
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  Data: <i>Original Publication</i>: Orlando, FL : Academic Press, c1992-
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Autism+Spectrum+Disorder%22">Autism Spectrum Disorder*</searchLink>/<searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Autism+Spectrum+Disorder+physiopathology%22">physiopathology</searchLink> <br /><searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Autism+Spectrum+Disorder%22">Autism Spectrum Disorder*</searchLink>/<searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Autism+Spectrum+Disorder+therapy%22">therapy</searchLink> <br /><searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Transcranial+Direct+Current+Stimulation%22">Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation*</searchLink>/<searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Transcranial+Direct+Current+Stimulation+methods%22">methods</searchLink> <br /><searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Cerebellum%22">Cerebellum*</searchLink>/<searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Cerebellum+physiopathology%22">physiopathology</searchLink> <br /><searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Cerebral+Cortex%22">Cerebral Cortex*</searchLink>/<searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Cerebral+Cortex+physiopathology%22">physiopathology</searchLink> <br /><searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Nerve+Net%22">Nerve Net*</searchLink>/<searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Nerve+Net+physiopathology%22">physiopathology</searchLink> <br /><searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Social+Cognition%22">Social Cognition*</searchLink> <br /><searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Individuality%22">Individuality*</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Humans%22">Humans</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Male%22">Male</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Female%22">Female</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Young+Adult%22">Young Adult</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Adult%22">Adult</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Magnetoencephalography%22">Magnetoencephalography</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Double-Blind+Method%22">Double-Blind Method</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Adolescent%22">Adolescent</searchLink>
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  Data: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition with core diagnostic domains of social communication impairments, restricted interests and repetitive behaviors. Idiosyncratic brain organization is a potential hallmark of ASD. Previous transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) studies often targeted dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, with changes oin brain dynamics averaged across the cohort. We utilized a magnetoencephalographic (MEG) array to characterize individual differences in brain dynamics induced by cortico-cerebellar tDCS across nodes of a social cognition network. A randomized, sham-controlled, double-blind, within-subject clinical trial was conducted in a cohort of 24 young adults with ASD or high autistic traits. Two separate sessions of computerized social learning activities were combined with verum/sham tDCS, with anodal electrode over right temporoparietal junction (TPJ) and cathode on right deltoid. Following stimulation, theta- and alpha-band activity were evaluated within nodes of a social cognition network: bilateral TPJ, fusiform, medial prefrontal cortex and Crus I/II of cerebellum. Idiosyncratic participant-specific up- and down-regulation of theta- and alpha-band activity occurred across the network. Activity in right Crus I/II, a region inundated by the stimulation current, strongly correlated with the change of activity summed across all cerebral cortical nodes in theta- but not alpha-band. Intrinsic theta-band activity is believed to mediate input/output relationships in cerebellar cortex and to drive synaptic plasticity. These results suggest that theta-band stimulation of cerebellar cortex might be an effective therapy for individuals on the autism spectrum who present with cerebellar hyperactivity.<br /> (Copyright © 2026 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
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  Data: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no financial interests or personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests.
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  Data: <i>Keywords: </i>Autism; Brain networks; Cerebellum; Magnetoencephalography (meg); Social cognition; Theta; Transcranial direct current stimulation (tdcs)
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        Value: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2026.122194
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        StartPage: 122194
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      – TitleFull: Individual differences in brain dynamics across a social cognition network induced by cortico-cerebellar tDCS in adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
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