Comparing a blood marker and brain function in preschool children with autism
Compares blood N-CAD levels and brain activity in autistic and typically developing children.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Differences in N-CAD Concentration and Brain Function Between Children With ASD and TD
Key facts
- Where
- Chongqing, ChinaSee the site
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 3 and 5 years old?
Source: NCT07400484, who can take part
Where in China
- Growth, Development and Mental health of Children and Adolescence CenterChongqing, ChinaTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Chen Li
- Trial code
- NCT07400484
- Record updated
- 10 February 2026
- Original description
The incidence of autism spectrum disorders is increasing, about 1 / 36. Neural cadherin (NCAD) is closely related to synaptic structure and function. The cdh2 gene encoding NCAD has been shown to be associated with a variety of neurodevelopmental diseases and is one of the six risk genes for ASD. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a neuroimaging technology that uses the principle of near-infrared spectroscopy to detect the functional activation of human cortex. The application of fNIRS to explore the neural mechanism of children with ASD has developed rapidly. It has the advantages of non-invasive, portable, relatively low cost and unlimited physical activity. And for ASD children, their command compliance and self-control are relatively low, so fNIRS is more widely used in ASD children. According to dsm-5 standard, we recruited ASD children and TD children, collected their peripheral blood, and detected the plasma n-cad concentration. At the same time, the resting state of fNIRS of the two groups of children was collected, and the ultra scan monitoring was carried out simultaneously during Gesell assessment. The purpose of this study was to explore the difference of peripheral blood NCAD concentration between preschool ASD children and TD children and the difference of brain function in resting state and social interaction state. And the relationship between the characteristics of brain function and the level of cognitive development in children with ASD.Read full original descriptionShow less
A Study on the Differences in N-CAD Concentration and Brain Function Between Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder and Typically Developing Children
The incidence of autism spectrum disorders is increasing, about 1 / 36. Neural cadherin (NCAD) is closely related to synaptic structure and function. The cdh2 gene encoding NCAD has been shown to be associated with a variety of neurodevelopmental diseases and is one of the six risk genes for ASD. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a neuroimaging technology that uses the principle of near-infrared spectroscopy to detect the functional activation of human cortex. The application of fNIRS to explore the neural mechanism of children with ASD has developed rapidly. It has the advantages of non-invasive, portable, relatively low cost and unlimited physical activity. And for ASD children, their command compliance and self-control are relatively low, so fNIRS is more widely used in ASD children. According to dsm-5 standard, we recruited ASD children and TD children, collected their peripheral blood, and detected the plasma n-cad concentration. At the same time, the resting state of fNIRS of the two groups of children was collected, and the ultra scan monitoring was carried out simultaneously during Gesell assessment. The purpose of this study was to explore the difference of peripheral blood NCAD concentration between preschool ASD children and TD children and the difference of brain function in resting state and social interaction state. And the relationship between the characteristics of brain function and the level of cognitive development in children with ASD.
Inclusion: Age at enrollment ≥ 3 years and <5 years; The diagnosis was made by 2 developmental behavioral pediatricians or child psychiatrists with vice senior titles or above, and the history and clinical manifestations were in line with ASD and ICD-11 diagnostic criteria for ASD; .
Exclusion: Diagnosis or manifestation of genetic diseases or syndromes related to ASD (such as Rett syndrome); Medical or nervous system diseases affecting growth, development or cognition (such as central nervous system infection, epilepsy, congenital heart disease, etc.); Sensory impairment such as vision or hearing loss; Low birth weight (birth weight <2000 g) or preterm birth (gestational age <37 weeks); Adopted children; Parents refused to sign the informed consent form; Other researchers consider it inappropriate to participate in the study.