Sensory and Connectivity Abnormalities in Autism Spectrum Disorders

NCT00956579 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: 2005P0017685R01MH117998
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 85
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Study the neural substrates of autism spectrum disorders using neuroimaging methods such as MEG/EEG/MRI.

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Keywords

autism; autistic; sensory; MEG; connectivity; brain; MRI; language; developmental; neurodevelopmental; aspergers; asperger's; coherence

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Saliency of Sensory Stimuli in Developmental Disorders

  up to 2 years

Study Arms (2)

Healthy individuals

No intervention Healthy participants ages 14-32 for a neuroimaging study

Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder

No intervention ASD participants ages 14-32 for a neuroimaging study.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 14 Years - 32 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Adult/Pediatric

You may qualify if:

• All of the following criteria must be met by all participants:
• The participant or the participant's legal guardian is able to understand and is willing to comply with the requirements of the study
• The participant meets the age requirements (14-32 years old)
• The participant or legal guardian has signed an Informed Consent Form specific to this study, and is able to understand the consent form.
• The participant must have English as their first language.
• The participant must have a non-verbal IQ \> 70
• For the ASD/language disorder group only:
• Autism Spectrum Disorder: Participants must meet criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder on the ADOS.

You may not qualify if:

• Any volunteer for whom informed consent cannot be obtained
• Volunteers with metal braces, extensive dental work involving metals, implanted electromagnetically activated medical equipment (cardiac pacemakers, neurostimulators, functioning infusion pumps), all of which would interfere with the MEG signal, will be excluded from the MEG portion of the study
• Volunteers with any medically diagnosed sensory loss
• Volunteers with a known genetic disorder (e.g. Tourette's syndrome, etc), or other medical condition affecting the brain, such as progressive encephalopathy as well as those who are on high doses of multiple anti-seizure medications and have frequent, uncontrolled seizures
• Asphyxia at birth or any other time, premature birth (Fewer than 34 weeks gestation)
• For the control group only:
• Volunteers diagnosed with a mental condition such as depression, anxiety, aggression, hyperactivity, attention deficit disorder (with or without hyperactivity).
• Volunteers who score below the autism spectrum cut-off (in the normal range) on the ADOS and SCQ
• Volunteers on any sort of neuro-psychopharmacological treatment (including antidepressants, stimulants, antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, benzodiazepines).
• For the autism group only:
• Children or adults not meeting criteria for autism spectrum disorder
• Volunteers with co-morbid disorders such as tuberous sclerosis or fragile X.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Massachusetts General Hospital: lead
• National Institutes of Health (NIH): collaborator
• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Martinos Center or Biomedical Imaging

Charlestown, Massachusetts, 02129, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder; Autistic Disorder; Language

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Child Development Disorders, Pervasive; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Mental Disorders; Communication; Behavior

Study Officials

• Tal Kenet, Ph.D

  Massachusetts General Hospital

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: OTHER
• Time Perspective: OTHER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: October 23, 2007
• First Posted: August 11, 2009
• Study Start: June 1, 2013
• Primary Completion: June 1, 2025
• Study Completion: June 1, 2025
• Last Updated: April 24, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Locations

US (1)