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Updated: May 24, 2026
Rapid Detection of Neurodevelopmental Phenotypes in Human Neural Precursor Cells (NPCs)
Published on: March 2, 2018
Brain development: neural signature predicts autism's emergence
Kevin A Pelphrey1, James C McPartland
1Yale Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06519, USA. kevin.pelphrey@yale.edu
Insights
Neural sensitivity to eye gaze in infancy can predict autism development. This finding offers a potential early biomarker for autism spectrum disorder before behavioral signs appear.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition.
- Early identification of ASD is crucial for timely intervention and improved outcomes.
- Current diagnostic methods often rely on behavioral observation, typically after symptoms are apparent.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between neural responses to eye gaze in early infancy and the later development of autism spectrum disorder.
- To identify potential early neural biomarkers for ASD.
Main Methods:
- Utilized neuroimaging techniques to measure brain activity in infants.
- Assessed neural sensitivity to eye gaze stimuli.
- Tracked participants for subsequent diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder.
Main Results:
- Infants who later developed ASD showed altered neural sensitivity to eye gaze.
- This neural difference was detectable in early infancy, prior to overt behavioral symptoms.
Conclusions:
- Neural sensitivity to eye gaze in infancy serves as a potential predictive biomarker for autism spectrum disorder.
- This discovery may facilitate earlier diagnosis and intervention for ASD.
Abstract:
A new study has found that neural sensitivity to eye gaze in early infancy is associated with subsequent development of autism. This discovery provides a much-needed biomarker for autism spectrum disorder prior to emergence of behavioral symptoms.
