Exploring how early behavioral interventions affect brain development in children with autism

Brain Plasticity of Autism in Response to Early Behavioral Intervention: A Multimodal MRI Study

Not applicable Interventional University of Electronic Science and Technology of China · NCT02807766

This study is testing how different early behavioral therapies can change brain development in children with autism to see which methods work best.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment150 (estimated)
Ages2 Years to 8 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Electronic Science and Technology of China Academic / other
Locations2 sites (Harbin, Heilongjiang and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT02807766 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the effects of various early behavioral intervention methods on brain plasticity in children diagnosed with autism. Using multimodal MRI techniques, researchers will collect brain imaging data, eye movement data, stool samples, and clinical scores before and after the interventions. The goal is to understand the pathophysiological mechanisms of autism and evaluate the effectiveness of these interventions. Additionally, the study aims to develop a prediction model for intervention outcomes based on advanced multivariate pattern analysis.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are children aged 2 to 8 years with a clinical diagnosis of autism.

Not a fit: Patients with other neurodevelopmental disorders or contraindications to MRI may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide new insights into effective behavioral interventions for autism, potentially improving treatment outcomes for affected children.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise in using behavioral interventions for autism, but this approach utilizing multimodal MRI is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age range from 2 to 8 years old.
* Clinical DSM-IV diagnosis of autism.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Subjects with other neurodevelopmental diseases.
* Subjects with contraindications to MRI.

Where this trial is running

Harbin, Heilongjiang and 1 other locations

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.
Conditions AutismautismBrain PlasticityBehavioral InterventionMagnetic Resonance Imaging
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 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.