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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 16, 2026

Probing the Brain in Autism Using fMRI and Diffusion Tensor Imaging

Probing the Brain in Autism Using fMRI and Diffusion Tensor Imaging

Published on: September 12, 2011

Optimizing functional connectivity scanning conditions for predicting autistic traits.

Corey Horien^1,2,3, Francesca Mandino⁴, Abigail S Greene^2,5

¹Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA USA.

Nature. Mental Health

|May 15, 2026

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

A sustained attention task during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanning improves the prediction of autistic traits. This brain imaging approach helps identify robust neurobiological markers for autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Keywords:

Attention Diagnostic markers

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Published on: December 7, 2018

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Developmental Neuroscience
Psychiatric Neuroscience

Background:

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition with diverse presentations.
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies have identified neurobiological correlates of autistic features.
Optimal brain states for revealing brain-phenotype relationships in ASD remain underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

To identify optimal brain states for predicting clinically relevant phenotypes in autism using fMRI.
To assess the generalizability of predictive network models across different datasets and populations.
To determine if a sustained attention task enhances the prediction of autistic traits.

Main Methods:

Utilized connectome-based predictive modeling (CPM) across four independent datasets.
Compared prediction performance of autistic traits under different fMRI scanning conditions: resting-state, social attention task, and sustained attention task.
Evaluated the generalizability of a predictive network model derived from a sustained attention task.

Main Results:

A sustained attention task significantly improved the prediction of autistic traits compared to resting-state and social attention tasks in youth with autism.
The predictive network model generated from the sustained attention task generalized to predict attention measures in neurotypical adults.
The same model further generalized to predict social responsiveness in large independent ASD and neurotypical cohorts (Autism Brain Imaging Data Exchange and Healthy Brain Network).

Conclusions:

An in-scanner sustained attention challenge can optimize fMRI scanning for delineating robust neurobiological markers of autistic traits.
This approach enhances the predictive power of brain-phenotype relationships in ASD.
Findings suggest a promising method for identifying reliable biomarkers for autism spectrum disorder.