Autism & Development Disabilites

Establishing the Validity of a Wearable Technology of Objective Arousal Measurements Across Development 2023 Award: $40,000 Atypical sensory reactivity is reported by parents in pre-symptomatic infants that go on to develop ASD. We propose to validate a practical, wearable technology that simultaneously measures arousal in response to well-controlled stimuli and lays the foundation for future studies measuring arousal in naturalistic contexts. The results from this study have the potential to facilitate pre-symptomatic interventions and new screening options for infants at elevated likelihood for developing autism. Need/Problem: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects socialization, communication, and daily living skills. Symptoms of ASD emerge gradually over the first few years of life, though the average age of a diagnosis of ASD is older than 4 years. Prior to the first symptom emergence of ASD (e.g. decreases in [...]

Data Driven Brain Shape Analysis Framework and Explainable AI 2022 Award: $66,691 Specific shape aspects are associated with individual differences in cognitive function in children and adults as well as abnormality in many neuropsychiatric disorders. In this project, we will investigate brain shape and reveal specific characteristics for different neuropsychiatric disorders. Our approach is based on multi-view and neural network interpretability techniques. Need/Problem: The overarching goal of this proposal is to develop deep learning techniques for brain shape analysis. We need to investigate, identify, and implement better approaches that will help us make predictions about health outcomes as well as improve early diagnosis of mental health disorders. Grant Summary: Brain shape analysis has been researched extensively and we know that specific shape aspects of the White Matter (WM) are associated with individual differences in cognitive function in children and [...]

Circuit-level investigation of global hypoconnectivity in the sensory neocortex of a mouse model for autism 2022 Award: $40,092 In addition to the well-known social communication difficulties, autistic patients frequently suffer from sensory processing problems, such as sensory overload. In this project, we will investigate neural circuit alterations that affect sensory responses, using a preclinical mouse model for autism. Findings in the simple mouse brain should provide a first step toward understanding circuit mechanisms underlying broad sensory symptoms in autistic patients. Need/Problem: Atypical behavioral responses to sensory inputs, such as sensory overload and hypersensitivity, are observed in around 90% of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) patients, and developing treatments for this is critically needed to reduce the burden on patients and their families. Grant Summary: To identify the circuit alterations causing sensory processing problems in ASD, we will focus on a preclinical [...]

Biobehavioral Markers of Suicide Risk in Female Adolescents on the Autism Spectrum 2021 Award: $39,992 Suicide is a leading cause of premature death for individuals on the autism spectrum. Females on the spectrum are at a particularly elevated risk of experiencing suicidal thoughts and behavior. However, very few studies have examined risk factors for suicidal thoughts and behaviors in females on the spectrum. Our project is the first prospective study of potential biological vulnerabilities for suicidal thoughts and behaviors in females on the spectrum. Study findings will set the stage for a program of research focused on identifying females on the spectrum at risk for suicide and developing tailored suicide prevention programs to improve outcomes across the lifespan. Need/Problem: Suicide is a leading cause of premature death for autistic* individuals (*note that we use identity-first language to respect the [...]

A Pilot Study of Gender Differences in Neuroinflammation in Autism 2020 Award: $50,000 Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) impacts the functioning of brain regions that process social information, but the reasons for this are unclear. In this project we will examine whether inflammation in brain regions that process social information contributes to social impairments in ASD and whether there are sex differences in brain inflammation in ASD. Results will indicate whether treatments that impact inflammation may be beneficial for those with ASD. Need/Problem: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is an etiologically heterogeneous disorder that affects 1 in 54 individuals and confers a lifelong burden to most affected individuals and their families. The brain basis of ASD remains poorly understood. Grant Summary: We will use combined positron emission tomography (PET) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) brain imaging to examine whether ASD [...]

Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms Governing Cortical Surface Area Overgrowth in iPSC-derived Neural Cells from Longitudinally Characterized Autism Individuals 2018 Award: $49,720 Many individuals with autism spectrum disorder exhibit larger brain volumes early in life. By mimicking and studying brain cells from subjects with ASD and subjects without ASD, Dr. Hazlett and her team are working to determine the underlying pathologies of brain overgrowth. These results will help identify biological markers which will inform more personalized early treatments for ASD. Need/Problem: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is an etiologically heterogeneous disorder that affects 1 in 68 individuals, and confers a lifelong burden to most affected individuals and their families. ASD has been consistently characterized by early brain overgrowth in neuroimaging studies. Grant Summary: We will generate and study neural cells from individuals with ASD and matched controls who have been profiled [...]