Researchers used sensors placed on babies' scalps to measure the brain's response when the infants were shown faces

This article is more than 8 years old

This article is more than 8 years old

Signs of autism can be detected in six-month-old babies by measuring their brain activity, research has shown.

Scientists say the test could help identify infants most at risk of developing the disorder later in life.

Autism, a lifelong developmental disability that impairs a person's ability to connect socially and communicate, is not officially diagnosed until after the age of two, but many experts believe children affected would benefit if therapy could be started at a younger age.

An estimated 600,000 children and adults in the UK suffer from the condition, which covers a range of symptoms of varying severity.

The research focused on six- to 10-month-old babies believed to be at increased risk because they had an older brother or sister with the disorder.

Sensors placed on the babies' scalps measured brain activity while the infants were shown faces that switched between looking at them or away from them.

An association was seen between the responses and later diagnoses of autism.

The study suggests the "autistic brain" processes social information differently right at the start of life.

Study leader Professor Mark Johnson from Birkbeck College, University of London, said: "Our findings demonstrate for the first time that direct measures of brain functioning during the first year of life associate with a later diagnosis of autism – well before the emergence of behavioural symptoms.

"Differences in the use of eye gaze to regulate social interaction are already a well-recognised early feature in many children with autism from the second year of life and at present it is these increasingly well-documented 'first signs' that will alert parents and professionals to possible differences.

"Future studies will be required to determine whether measurements of brain function such as those used in our study might one day play a role in helping to identify children at an even earlier age."

The findings are published on Friday in the journal Current Biology.

Prof Johnson stressed the observed trend did not apply in all cases. Some babies that showed the unusual responses in brain activity were not later diagnosed with autism, and vice versa.

He said: "The method would require further refinement, most likely in combination with other factors, to form the basis of a predictor accurate enough for clinical use in the general population."

The work was funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC) and a consortium led by the charity Autistica.

Christine Swabey, the charity's chief executive, said: "Autism currently affects 1% of the UK population and the hope is that this important research will lead to improved identification and access to services for future generations. Ultimately, the earlier we can identify autism and provide early intervention, the better the outcomes will be in later childhood and adult life."

Professor Christopher Kennard, from the MRC, said: "This is a very interesting study which suggests that early signs of brain responses to eye contact can contribute to an earlier diagnosis for children at high risk of autism – crucial for ensuring that they receive appropriate care."