Assessing social cognition in children with autism using MRI and eye tracking

MRI-Eye Tracking Pairing, a Tool for Assessing Social Cognition in Children With ASD

NA · Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Amiens · NCT05194254

This study is trying to see how children with autism understand social situations by using MRI and eye tracking to watch how their attention to others changes as they grow up.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment68 (estimated)
Ages10 Years to 20 Years
SexAll
SponsorCentre Hospitalier Universitaire, Amiens (other)
Locations1 site (Amiens, Picardie)
Trial IDNCT05194254 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to enhance the assessment of social cognition in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) by utilizing a novel approach that combines MRI and eye tracking technology. By creating video-based visual percepts that closely mimic real-life social interactions, the study seeks to better understand how joint attention develops over time in autistic children. The research will longitudinally explore the neurodevelopmental aspects of social cognition, addressing a gap in existing literature regarding the influence of age on joint attention perception in individuals with ASD.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are children aged 10 to 20 years with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Not a fit: Patients outside the age range of 10 to 20 years or those without a diagnosis of ASD may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved diagnostic tools and interventions for enhancing social cognition in children with autism.

How similar studies have performed: While the approach of using MRI and eye tracking is innovative, similar studies have not been widely conducted, making this a novel exploration in the field.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

For the group of people with Autism Spectrum Disorders (experimental group):

* Age between 10 to 20 years old
* Diagnosis of ASD (CARS) ≥ 30 performed at inclusion
* IQ test evaluation (regardless of the result) performed by a trained psychologist
* Obtaining informed oral and written consent after appropriate information
* Obtaining informed oral and written consent from the legal guardian after information
* Be affiliated with social security
* No contraindication to magnetic resonance imaging

For the TD (Typical Development) group of people (control group):

* Age between 10 to 20 years old
* Diagnosis of ASD (CARS) \<30 performed at inclusion
* IQ test evaluation (regardless of the result) performed by a trained psychologist
* Obtaining informed oral and written consent after appropriate information
* Obtaining informed oral and written consent from the legal guardian after information
* Be affiliated with social security
* No contraindication to magnetic resonance imaging

Exclusion Criteria:

For all groups:

* Age outside the range 10 to 20 years
* Person with a contraindication to MRI (including claustrophobia, pace maker, neurosurgical clips, vascular clips, heart valves, ventriculoperitoneal valves, cochlear implant, neurostimulator, intraocular metal shards, joint prosthesis, etc.)
* Person suffering from major obesity (\> 140 kg) not allowing him to enter the tunnel of the MRI machine (diameter \<70cm)
* Pregnant or breastfeeding woman
* Person under guardianship or guardianship or deprived of liberty by a judicial or administrative decision

For TD people (control group):

* Person with psychiatric disorders such as attention disorder with or without hyperactivity, depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
* Person with a neurological history such as epilepsy and / or neurovascular accident.

Where this trial is running

Amiens, Picardie

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: ASD, Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Eye Tracking, Social Cognition, Joint Attention, Functional magnetic resonance imaging, social cognition, joint attention

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.