Understanding social behavior challenges in autism spectrum disorder

Neurocomputational mechanisms of proactive social behavior deficits in autism spectrum disorder

NIH-funded research Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NIH-10880382

This study is looking at how kids with autism experience social situations by using brain scans and virtual reality, to better understand the challenges they face when interacting with others.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionIcahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project IDNIH-10880382 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the neural mechanisms behind social interaction difficulties in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). By utilizing advanced brain imaging techniques and virtual reality tasks, the study aims to observe how children with ASD engage in social situations that mimic real-life interactions. The approach focuses on understanding how these children perceive social dynamics, such as closeness and power, during interactive scenarios. This innovative methodology seeks to fill gaps in current knowledge about the brain's role in social behavior deficits.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have autism spectrum disorder or are outside the age range of 0-11 years may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved interventions and support strategies for children with autism, enhancing their social skills and overall quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: While there has been significant research on autism, this approach using computational models and interactive tasks is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.

Where this research is happening

New York, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Autistic Disorder
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.