Brain Imaging Study Identifies Two Neural Patterns in Autism

Autism is a neurodevelopmental variation with a wide range of traits and support needs. A study published in Nature Neuroscience in May 2026 used functional MRI scans to examine brain activity in 940 autistic individuals during film-viewing tasks, identifying two neural patterns.

Two Neural Patterns

The first pattern involves variations in synaptic connectivity, particularly in brain regions associated with social processing and sensory integration. The second pattern shows differences in immune-related brain activity. These findings were consistent across age groups and were further examined in mouse models, as Science Daily reported. The study used film-viewing during scans to simulate real-world experiences, an approach that PsyPost noted may offer insights into how autistic individuals process dynamic social information.

The second pattern shows differences in immune-related brain activity.

Understanding Neurodivergence

The research adds to our understanding of neurodivergence by highlighting how different neural configurations can lead to similar behavioral traits. 'Autism is not a monolith; it's a spectrum of neurotypes that may arise from various neural pathways,' the lead author explained in an interview with the Child Mind Institute. While mouse models provided some biological insights, the authors emphasize that these models cannot fully capture the complexity of human social cognition or the lived experience of autism.