Pivotal response treatment prompts a functional rewiring of the brain among individuals with autism spectrum disorder

Neuroreport. 2016 Sep 28;27(14):1081-5. doi: 10.1097/WNR.0000000000000662.

Abstract

Behavioral interventions for autism have gained prominence in recent years; however, the neural-systems-level targets of these interventions remain poorly understood. We use a novel Bayesian framework to extract network-based differences before and after a 16-week pivotal response treatment (PRT) regimen. Our results suggest that the functional changes induced by PRT localize to the posterior cingulate and are marked by a shift in connectivity from the orbitofrontal cortex to the occipital-temporal cortex. Our results illuminate a potential PRT-induced learning mechanism, whereby the neural circuits involved during social perception shift from sensory and attentional systems to higher-level object and face processing areas.

MeSH terms

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder / diagnostic imaging
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder / pathology*
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder / rehabilitation*
  • Bayes Theorem
  • Behavior Therapy / methods*
  • Brain / diagnostic imaging*
  • Brain / physiopathology*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Neural Pathways / diagnostic imaging
  • Oxygen / blood

Substances

  • Oxygen