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Intervention-Induced Plasticity of Flexibility and Learning Mechanisms in ASD

NCT05131659 · Status: ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 64

Last updated 2026-02-12

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

This project explores the association between learning and cognitive flexibility by testing whether a cognitive behavioral intervention designed to improve flexibility in ASD changes learning and associated neural activation using model-based functional magnetic resonance imaging (m-fMRI). The study proposes that variability in learning mechanisms is associated with behavioral flexibility and explains differences in adaptive and treatment outcomes. The study employs a longitudinal case-controlled design in 60 14-18 year old youth with ASD at 3 time-points 8 months apart, each including m-fMRI during learning and behavioral measurement of executive and adaptive function. Aim 1 tests the hypothesis that individual variation in learning biases and their neural correlates predicts behavioral flexibility and is stable over time. Aim 2 tests plasticity of learning mechanisms induced by a cognitive-behavioral intervention for flexibility. Aim 3 tests hypothesis about intervention-induced plasticity of neural functional connectivity.

Conditions

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Executive function group therapy

This executive function group therapy curriculum for adolescents uses cognitive behavioral therapy techniques, and focuses on key functions needed for adult success, such as: self-advocacy, flexibility, time management, motivation, goal setting, developing plans, monitoring progress. Guided practice begins with concrete interventionist support and moves to interventionist cueing, self-cueing, and finally automatic use of the skills without support.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Georgetown University

    collaborator OTHER

  • Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)

    collaborator NIH

  • Children's National Research Institute

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Model
SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age
14 Years
Max Age
18 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2021-10-20
Primary Completion
2026-05-31
Completion
2026-05-31

Countries

  • United States

Study Locations

More Related Trials

Entities

Diseases

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT05131659 on ClinicalTrials.gov