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UCLA Study Finds Reporter Game Reduces Sensory Brain Activity

By Drooid · Sep 24, 2026, 5:04 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

UCLA researchers found the reporter game reduced sensory-region brain activity in autistic children.
The study enrolled 47 autistic and 45 typically developing children, ages 8–15.
During MRI scans participants felt artificial grass and scratchy wool on their forearms.
When autistic children used the game, sensory-region activity dropped significantly compared with texture focus.
Both groups showed increased frontal activity, though only typically developing children rated textures as less unpleasant.

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Story summary

UCLA researchers found the reporter game reduced sensory-region brain activity in autistic children.
The study enrolled 47 autistic and 45 typically developing children, ages 8–15.
During MRI scans participants felt artificial grass and scratchy wool on their forearms.
When autistic children used the game, sensory-region activity dropped significantly compared with texture focus.
Both groups showed increased frontal activity, though only typically developing children rated textures as less unpleasant.