New Japanese Brain Stimulation Therapy Shows Promise for Autism
Tokyo University researchers develop non-invasive treatment using magnetic stimulation to improve social interaction and cognitive flexibility in autistic adults..
Watan-A Japanese study has revealed the potential of a non-invasive therapy to enhance social interaction and mental flexibility in individuals with autism, by stimulating the brain during episodes of what’s known as “neural rigidity.”
Researchers from The University of Tokyo, in findings published Monday in Nature Neuroscience, reported that the new treatment significantly improved various autism-related traits using a safe, non-surgical brain stimulation technique.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological condition that appears in early childhood and lasts a lifetime. It affects communication and social interaction and is often associated with repetitive behaviors and narrow interests. Severity varies widely—some individuals can live independently, while others require ongoing support. While there is currently no cure, treatments focus on education, behavioral interventions, and medication to improve life skills and reduce daily challenges.
How the Therapy Works
The new treatment uses transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)—a technique already used for depression—but modified to respond in real-time to the brain’s momentary activity state.
Over 40 autistic adults participated in the 12-week study. During that time, they received regular TMS sessions that were triggered only when their brain activity showed signs of “neural rigidity,” a pattern where the brain becomes “stuck” in a repetitive activity loop.
This neurological state is common in individuals with autism and is linked to difficulties in social interaction, cognitive flexibility, and adaptive behavior. The treatment, known as “brain-state-dependent stimulation,” combines EEG brain monitoring with magnetic pulses that re-activate the brain, encouraging it to shift between various activity states.
Promising Results
The intervention led to a gradual reduction in neural rigidity from the first week. By weeks 6 to 7, participants showed significant improvements in social interaction skills. Notably, these benefits persisted for up to two months after the final treatment session.
The research team noted that these results offer new insight into how social, cognitive, and perceptual features of autism interconnect, despite the wide range of symptom severity. Although improvements faded after two months, researchers believe that a longer treatment protocol could lead to more lasting results.
Future studies aim to test the method across wider age groups and autism severity levels, with the goal of scaling the treatment for broader use. The researchers also indicated that the technique might one day be applied to other neurological conditions, such as ADHD and OCD.
