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Early behavioral intervention is associated with normalized brain activity in young children with autism . OBJECTIVE A previously published randomized clinical trial indicated that a developmental behavioral intervention , the Early Start Denver Model ( ESDM ) , resulted in gains in IQ , language , and adaptive behavior of children with autism spectrum disorder . This report describes a secondary outcome measurement from this trial , EEG activity . METHOD Forty-eight 18- to 30-month-old children with autism spectrum disorder were randomized to receive the ESDM or referral to community intervention for 2 years . After the intervention ( age 48 to 77 months ) , EEG activity ( event-related potentials and spectral power ) was measured during the presentation of faces versus objects . Age-matched typical children were also assessed . RESULTS The ESDM group exhibited greater improvements in autism symptoms , IQ , language , and adaptive and social behaviors than the community intervention group . The ESDM group and typical children showed a shorter Nc latency and increased cortical activation ( decreased α power and increased θ power ) when viewing faces , whereas the community intervention group showed the opposite pattern ( shorter latency event-related potential [ ERP ] and greater cortical activation when viewing objects ) . Greater cortical activation while viewing faces was associated with improved social behavior . CONCLUSIONS This was the first trial to demonstrate that early behavioral intervention is associated with normalized patterns of brain activity , which is associated with improvements in social behavior , in young children with autism spectrum disorder .
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Intervention_Educational
behavioral intervention
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Intervention_Educational
receive the ESDM
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Intervention_Other
referral to community intervention
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Intervention_Educational
for 2 years
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Intervention_Physical
EEG activity
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Intervention_Educational
ESDM
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Outcome_Physical
brain activity
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Outcome_Physical
EEG activity
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Outcome_Physical
EEG activity ( event-related potentials and spectral power )
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Outcome_Mental
autism symptoms , IQ , language , and adaptive and social behaviors
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Participant_Age
young children
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Participant_Condition
autism
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Participant_Age
children
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Participant_Condition
autism spectrum disorder
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Participant_Age
Forty-eight 18- to 30-month-old children