Research Centre: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)
Location: 1025 Queen St and 250 College St, Toronto ON, M6J1H4
Lead Researcher: Dr. Stephanie Ameis

Did you know that autistic individuals are 4-times more likely to experience depression in their lifetime? With statistics that high, the need for constant improvement of treatments is imperative. That’s why researchers at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health are exploring new ways that depression can be treated in autistic youth and emerging/young adults.

In this study, researchers are exploring whether brain stimulation can treat symptoms of depression and suicidal thinking in autistic youth and emerging adults. If the methods investigated are proven to improve depression in autism, this study will provide the first evidence-based treatment for autistic youth and emerging adults struggling with depression. If you have a clinical diagnosis of autism and are experiencing depression then consider signing up for this groundbreaking study today!

• Participants will be compensated financially for participating in this study. Participants will be compensated for each completed study visit.
• Participants will be contributing valuable information that may benefit those with autism and depression in the future.
• Participants will be helping to advance medical research.

• If you decide to participate in the study and later feel that you no longer wish to be part of it, you can withdraw at any time.
• Any information that you provide will be kept strictly confidential, except as required by law.
• Qualified health professionals will monitor your health as it relates to the study.

• Individuals aged 16-35 who have a clinical diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder
• If the participants take any psychotropic medications or other therapeutic interventions, then the medication must have been taken in stable dosage within the last 30 days
• Participants must not have a history of substance use disorder (other than tobacco) within the past 6 months
• Participants must not have a significantly debilitating medical or neurologic illness (e.g. encephalitis, aneurysms, tumors, or CNS infections), acute or unstable medical illnesses as determined by study physician (e.g. delirium, cancer, uncontrolled diabetes, decompensated cardiac, hepatic, renal or pulmonary disease, stroke, or myocardial infarction) or a history of seizures
• Participants must not have a metal implant or pace-maker in their body
• Participants must not have claustrophobia
• Participants must not not be taking benzodiazepines (e.g., lorazepam or clonazepam at a dose greater than 2mg ) or any anticonvulsant medication
• Participants must not have had rTMS treatment in the past 2 years
• Participants must not be pregnant
• Participants must be willing to attend between 36 to 38 study visits over 8 months

The study team will explain the research in its entirety but some details are:

• Participants will be required to participate in clinical questionnaires and provide a urine sample
• Participants will be required to have 2 MRI brain scans over the study period
• Participants will be required to undergo repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health is a psychiatric teaching hospital located in Toronto and ten community locations throughout the province of Ontario, Canada. It is the largest research facility in Canada for mental health and addictions.

Please note:
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the researchers would like to assure participants that their and the study staff’s safety is of utmost importance.