Non-helium MEG to look for brain activity patterns in boys with autism
Official title: Non-Helium Magnetoencephalography for Identifying Neurobiological Features and Functional Biomarkers in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Observational Cohort Study
Run by Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center · NCT07064967 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will try non-helium MEG scans to see if they can find brain activity patterns that distinguish boys aged 6–12 with autism from typically developing children.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 6 Years to 12 Years |
| Sex | Men only |
| Enrollment | 80 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Guangzhou, Guangdong) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | November 5, 2024 |
| Main results expected | December 31, 2027 |
| Study ends | December 31, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | July 15, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT07064967 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Boys aged 6–12 with a DSM-5 diagnosis of autism, IQ >70, able to tolerate MEG, and without major neurological/genetic comorbidities, metallic implants, or current antipsychotic/sedative use.
✕Probably not a fit
Children with severe developmental disabilities, comorbid neurological or genetic syndromes, metallic implants, or who are taking antipsychotic medications or sedatives are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This observational project uses a non-helium magnetoencephalography (MEG) system to record brain activity in boys aged 6–12 with autism and in typically developing peers. Participants complete MEG recordings during both resting and simple task conditions while researchers analyze neural oscillations and connectivity patterns. Enrollment focuses on children with IQ above 70 who can comply with the procedures and excludes those with major neurological/genetic comorbidities, metallic implants, or current antipsychotic/sedative use. The aim is to identify characteristic MEG features that could support earlier or more accurate ASD diagnosis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to MEG-based biomarkers that help diagnose autism earlier or more accurately in children.
How similar studies have gone: Previous MEG research has reported differences in neural oscillations and connectivity in autism and shows promise, but has not yet produced definitive diagnostic biomarkers, while non-helium MEG is a newer technical approach.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Boys aged 6 to 12 years; * Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder meeting DSM-5 criteria; * Intelligence quotient (IQ) score \> 70 (assessed via Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children or other validated cognitive test); * Sufficient compliance to participate in MEG experiments. Exclusion Criteria: * Comorbid neurological disorders, genetic syndromes, or severe developmental disabilities; * Metallic implants that may interfere with MEG signal acquisition; * Current use of antipsychotic medications or sedatives.
Where it's running
-
Guangzhou Women and Children's medical center
Guangzhou, Guangdong, China Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Ye Song, Medical Doctor
- Email: 15625984282@163.com
- Phone: +86-020-81886332
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
Clown therapy to help kids with autism sit for dental visits
This study tests whether clown therapy can help children with autism sit through a dental examination more easily than conventional familiarization methods.
-
French Minds: a French, Multimodal Cohort Study of Severe Psychiatric Disorders and Healthy Controls
This study tests whether people with mood, psychotic, or autism disorders can be grouped into more similar subtypes based on social withdrawal and anhedonia, across ages 15 to 60.
-
Cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness in children with obesity and autism
This study tests whether cardiorespiratory fitness and handgrip strength differ between children with obesity who have autism and those who do not, and how these fitness measures relate to body size, composition, and cardiometabolic health.
-
Transitional Intervention for Hyperacusis in Autism
Aiming to see if a transitional sound-therapy approach can help adults with autism tolerate everyday sounds better and reduce loudness-related distress.
-
Museum visits to support social and emotional well‑being in autistic adults
This study tests whether visiting the National Taiwan Museum can help improve social participation and well-being for autistic adults aged 18–50.
-
AdiaVita and glutathione for autism in kids and teens
This study tests whether adding AdiaVita (cord-blood stem cells and exosomes) to glutathione helps improve ASD symptoms in children and other participants compared with glutathione alone.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.