Using brain scans and AI to predict who will benefit from behavioral therapy for autism
Dynamic Functional Image-based Deep Learning for Therapy Assessment in Autism
This project uses fMRI brain scans and advanced AI to help predict which children with autism are most likely to benefit from Pivotal Response Treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11308729 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You or your child would have brain scans (fMRI) taken during rest and simple tasks, and researchers will apply advanced AI that tracks how brain connections change over time and across regions. The team combines time-focused models (like LSTM) with network-focused models (like Graph Neural Networks) to find brain patterns tied to therapy response. They will train these models on existing and new imaging plus outcome data to improve prediction of who benefits from Pivotal Response Treatment. The approach aims to use dynamic brain connectivity information to make therapy choices more personalized.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are children with autism spectrum disorder (often in early childhood) who can tolerate MRI scans and are candidates for Pivotal Response Treatment.
Not a fit: Children who cannot undergo MRI (for example due to medical implants or severe distress) or who will not receive Pivotal Response Treatment are less likely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help match children with autism to behavioral therapy that has the best chance of helping them.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work, including this team's prior studies, has shown promise using fMRI and deep learning to identify ASD biomarkers and predict outcomes, but fully integrating dynamic spatiotemporal models remains a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
New Haven, United States
- Yale University — New Haven, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Duncan, James S — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Duncan, James S
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.