How Social Behaviors Develop in Babies at Risk for Autism

Plain-English translation of NCT06329245 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated March 2026 · Translation generated June 2026 · How we translate trials

What is this trial?

Researchers want to understand how social behaviors and brain connections develop in babies during their first three years of life. This study compares babies who have an older sibling with autism to babies without this family history. By tracking both groups over time with brain imaging and developmental assessments, the team hopes to identify early signs of autism and better understand how the brain develops in at-risk infants.

Autism often runs in families — babies with an older sibling who has autism have a higher chance of developing it themselves. This research aims to catch early developmental differences before a diagnosis is made, which could help families get support sooner.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

your baby has an older sibling diagnosed with autism (high-risk group), OR your baby has an older sibling without autism and no family history of autism (low-risk group)
your baby was born at full term (37 weeks or later)
your baby weighed at least 2,000 grams (about 4.4 pounds) at birth
your baby has no serious medical conditions affecting development, such as heart disease, seizures, or brain infections
your baby has normal hearing and vision

You likely don't qualify if…

you have a family history of genetic conditions like Fragile X syndrome associated with autism
your baby has a serious medical or neurological condition that affects growth or development
your baby has hearing or vision loss
your baby was born very prematurely (before 37 weeks) or had very low birth weight (under 2,000 grams)
you have a first-degree relative (parent, sibling, or child) with intellectual disability, schizophrenia, psychosis, or bipolar disorder

What participation looks like

You and your baby will visit the research center at eight different time points: when your baby is 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 30, and 36 months old. At each visit, your baby will have a brain scan (MRI) and developmental assessments to measure social behaviors and brain activity. The study lasts three years from your baby's birth, and researchers will track whether and when autism is diagnosed using standard diagnostic tools.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 14, 2026 · Not medical advice

Trial locations(1 site)

China

Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai