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Potential Causes of Sleep Disturbances in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and the Role of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on it: A Systematic Review

Junjie Zhang, Weiping Zhou, Yongqiang Zheng, Yanzhen*, Min Li*

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a group of neurodevelopmental disorders, with a prevalence rate of approximately 1% to 2% in the general population. Over 80% of individuals with ASD experience comorbid sleep disturbances, exacerbating daytime behavioral problems and significantly impacting the overall prognosis of ASD. Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive treatment method that holds assurance in improving sleep quality, optimizing sleep structure, and maintaining therapeutic effects. However, the effectiveness of rTMS for treating sleep disturbances in ASD patients remains uncertain. In this review, our aim is to summarize the potential causes of sleep disturbances in ASD and explore the existing literature on treating ASD-related sleep issues with rTMS. Current studies suggest that rTMS may regulate abnormal gene expression, slow wave activity, and alleviate core symptoms and mental complications of ASD, which are closely linked to sleep disturbances. Furthermore, our review identified 11 studies on the treatment of sleep disturbances in ASD patients using rTMS. We provide a summary of the characteristics of these studies and analyze the theoretical basis for the use of rTMS in addressing sleep disturbances in individuals with ASD. These findings are encouraging and suggest that rTMS may hold assurance as a potentially effective intervention for managing sleep disturbances in individuals with ASD.