Assessing Social Cognition in Children and Teens with Autism Spectrum Disorder Using MRI and Eye Tracking Technology

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying social cognition development in children and young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder ASD aged 10 to 20 years. The study aims to improve the assessment of joint attention, a key social skill, by using a new approach that combines functional MRI fMRI and eye-tracking to create more realistic visual environments. This method will help explore how perception of joint attention changes over time in autistic individuals compared to typically developing peers. Participants include two groups those with ASD and a control group with typical development. Both groups undergo MRI and eye-tracking assessments that mimic real social interactions through video-based visual stimuli. This study is non-randomized and observational, focusing on comparing brain and eye movement responses between groups to better understand neurodevelopmental differences. During the study, participants will complete cognitive evaluations, including IQ tests, and undergo MRI and eye-tracking sessions. Researchers will measure differences in brain mapping and eye movements related to joint attention between groups in a single-day assessment. Safety monitoring includes screening for MRI contraindications, and participants must provide informed consent. The total participation time is mainly a single day for these assessments.

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