{"id":25737,"date":"2025-11-17T13:44:04","date_gmt":"2025-11-17T18:44:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/autism.org\/?page_id=25737"},"modified":"2026-03-05T11:38:06","modified_gmt":"2026-03-05T16:38:06","slug":"ari-funded-research-studies-2025","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/autism.org\/ari-funded-research-studies-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"ARI-Funded Research Studies 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-1 fusion-flex-container has-pattern-background has-mask-background nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"max-width:1315.6px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-0 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:40px;width:100%;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-2 fusion-flex-container has-pattern-background has-mask-background nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"max-width:1315.6px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-1 fusion_builder_column_1_3 1_3 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:33.333333333333%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:5.76%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:5.76%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-video fusion-youtube\" style=\"--awb-max-width:600px;--awb-max-height:360px;--awb-align-self:center;--awb-width:100%;\"><div class=\"video-shortcode\"><div class=\"fluid-width-video-wrapper\" style=\"padding-top:60%;\" ><iframe title=\"YouTube video player 1\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/KTuxTAHPloQ?wmode=transparent&autoplay=0\" width=\"600\" height=\"360\" allowfullscreen allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-no-small-visibility fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:30px;width:100%;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-2 fusion_builder_column_2_3 2_3 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:66.666666666667%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.88%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.88%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-1\" style=\"--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p data-start=\"113\" data-end=\"381\">ARI awards grants to advance innovative research with real potential to improve the lives of autistic people. In 2025, we awarded nearly $600,000 in scientific research grants, continuing our long-standing commitment to funding work that makes a meaningful difference.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Recent news about autism research underscores the urgency of this work.<\/strong> ARI helps launch preliminary studies that are often overlooked, filling critical gaps and paving the way for new discoveries. <strong>ARI remains committed to advancing independent research <\/strong>that complements public efforts and strengthens support for autistic people and their families.\u00a0In the year ahead, we will remain focused on both education and research across a broad range of priorities, including genetics, neurology, co-occurring medical conditions, nutrition, sensory processing, severe and challenging behaviors, and issues affecting autistic adults and seniors. Strengthening connections among investigators, professionals, parents, and autistic people worldwide remains central to our mission\u2014because collaboration drives effective advocacy and meaningful progress.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-no-small-visibility fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:30px;width:100%;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-3 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-padding-top:30px;--awb-padding-bottom:30px;--awb-background-color:#f8f8f8;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" id=\"what-is-autism\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-3 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-no-small-visibility fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:30px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-1 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-three\"><h3 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;--fontSize:28;--minFontSize:28;line-height:1.3;\"><h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>2025 Robert L. Hendren Research Grant Award Winner<\/strong><\/h3><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-0 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_4 1_4 fusion-one-fourth fusion-column-first\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;width:25%;width:calc(25% - ( ( 4% + 4% ) * 0.25 ) );margin-right: 4%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element in-legacy-container\" style=\"--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-1 hover-type-none\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"126\" height=\"180\" alt=\"Professional headshot\" title=\"hendren small\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27126%27%20height%3D%27180%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20126%20180%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27126%27%20height%3D%27180%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/hendren-small.jpg\" class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-17507\"\/><\/span><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-2\"><p>Dr. Robert Hendren<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-1 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_2 1_2 fusion-one-half\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;width:50%;width:calc(50% - ( ( 4% + 4% ) * 0.5 ) );margin-right: 4%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-3\"><p style=\"text-align: left;\">In honor of his many years of support for our work, serving as a member of ARI\u2019s Scientific Advisory Board and Board of Directors, the top-scoring research grant proposals funded each year are now recognized as Robert L. Hendren Research Grant Award recipients.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>2025 RECIPIENT:<br \/>\nMelissa Franch, Ph.D.<\/strong><br \/>\nBaylor College of Medicine<br \/>\nYoung investigator (Post-doctoral Scholar)<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-2 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_4 1_4 fusion-one-fourth fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;width:25%;width:calc(25% - ( ( 4% + 4% ) * 0.25 ) );\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element in-legacy-container\" style=\"--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-2 hover-type-none\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" title=\"franch 2\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27200%27%20height%3D%27200%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20200%20200%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27200%27%20height%3D%27200%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/franch-2.jpg\" alt class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-25690\"\/><\/span><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-4\"><p>Melissa Franch, PhD<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-4 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-padding-top:30px;--awb-padding-bottom:30px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-4 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-5\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-1 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-center fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two fusion-border-below-title\">\n<h2 class=\"title-heading-center fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" data-fontsize=\"38\" data-lineheight=\"49.4px\">More Research Studies<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"fusion-button-wrapper\"><\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-5 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last button-horiz-list\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-button-wrapper\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-default fusion-button-default button-1 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type\" target=\"_self\" href=\"\/funded-research-2007-2009\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text\">2007-2009<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-button-wrapper\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-default fusion-button-default button-2 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type\" target=\"_self\" href=\"\/funded-research-2010-2011\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text\">2010-2011<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-button-wrapper\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-default fusion-button-default button-3 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type\" target=\"_self\" href=\"\/funded-research-2012-2013\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text\">2012-2013<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-button-wrapper\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-default fusion-button-default button-4 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type\" target=\"_self\" href=\"\/funded-research-2014-2015\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text\">2014-2015<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-button-wrapper\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-default fusion-button-default button-5 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type\" target=\"_self\" href=\"\/autism-research-studies-2016-2017\/\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text\">2016-2017<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-button-wrapper\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-default fusion-button-default button-6 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type\" target=\"_self\" href=\"\/ari-funded-research-studies-2018-2019\/\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text\">2018-2019<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-button-wrapper\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-default fusion-button-default button-7 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/ari-funded-research-studies-2020\/\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text\">2020<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-button-wrapper\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-default fusion-button-default button-8 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/ari-funded-research-studies-2021\/\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text\">2021<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-button-wrapper\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-default fusion-button-default button-9 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/ari-funded-research-studies-2022\/\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text\">2022<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-button-wrapper\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-default fusion-button-default button-10 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/ari-funded-research-studies-2023\/\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text\">2023<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-button-wrapper\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-default fusion-button-default button-11 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/ari-funded-research-studies-2024\/\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text\">2024<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-no-small-visibility fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:8px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-no-small-visibility fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:8px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-5 fusion-flex-container has-pattern-background has-mask-background nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"max-width:1315.6px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-6 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:50px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-6\" style=\"--awb-text-transform:none;\"><h1 style=\"text-align: center;\">2025 ARI Scientific Research Grant Awards<\/h1>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:50px;width:100%;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-6 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-padding-top:30px;--awb-padding-bottom:30px;--awb-background-color:#f8f8f8;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" id=\"what-is-autism\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-7 fusion_builder_column_3_4 3_4 fusion-three-fourth fusion-column-first\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;width:75%;width:calc(75% - ( ( 4% ) * 0.75 ) );margin-right: 4%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-7\" style=\"--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload alignleft wp-image-9870 size-thumbnail\" style=\"--tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-color: #3b82f680; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000;\" src=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SAB-Headshots-150x150.jpg\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SAB-Headshots-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"Professional headshot of a person\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27150%27%20height%3D%27150%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20150%20150%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27150%27%20height%3D%27150%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SAB-Headshots-66x66.jpg 66w, https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SAB-Headshots-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SAB-Headshots-294x295.jpg 294w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>Understanding the impact of protective genes for autism spectrum disorder<\/h3>\n<p><strong>David Beversdorf, M.D.<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>University of Missouri<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Previous autism spectrum disorders (ASD) research has focused on inserting genes known to cause autism in patients into rodents, examining the mechanism, and working towards targeted treatment. We have recently examined the large autism genetic registry (SPARK) to identify protective genes. The present work proposes the novel approach of examining insertion of a protective gene in mouse models, using this approach to work towards development of targeted treatment. In this manner, we can develop a highly novel mechanism of developing novel treatments based on targeting these protective mechanisms.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:50px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-8 fusion_builder_column_1_4 1_4 fusion-one-fourth fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;width:25%;width:calc(25% - ( ( 4% ) * 0.25 ) );\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-7 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"max-width:1315.6px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-9 fusion_builder_column_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-8\" style=\"--awb-text-transform:none;\"><h3>\u00a0<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload alignleft wp-image-25651 size-thumbnail\" style=\"--tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-color: #3b82f680; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000;\" src=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-150x150.png\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-150x150.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27150%27%20height%3D%27150%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20150%20150%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27150%27%20height%3D%27150%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-66x66.png 66w, https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image.png 200w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/>Probing the GluN2B-CaMKII Interaction in GRIN2B C-Tail Variants<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Chad Camp, MPH, Ph.D.<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>Young investigator (Post-doctoral scholar)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Genetic variants in GRIN2B, encoding the GluN2B subunit of NMDA receptors (NMDARs), are strongly associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related neurodevelopmental disorders. While variants in the ligand-binding and transmembrane domains are well characterized as gain- or lossof-function due to measurable changes in ion channel properties, nearly one-third of pathogenic variants localize to the C-terminal domain (C-tail). Despite their prevalence and strong disease association, C-tail variants often show minimal changes in canonical receptor function, leaving their pathogenic mechanisms unresolved. This proposal tests the hypothesis that GluN2B C-tail variants contribute to disease by disrupting essential protein\u2013protein interactions that govern synaptic development and plasticity, rather than by altering ion conductance. Aim 1 will determine whether C-tail variants alter electrophysiological properties when expressed with critical binding partners. Aim 2 will define the effects of variants on CaMKII and PSD95 interactions using live-cell imaging and in vitro binding assays. Aim 3 will assess synaptic localization and receptor mobility in neurons expressing C-tail variants. Together, these studies will establish new functional criteria for classifying GRIN2B variants, expand the experimental toolbox for interrogating non-canonical NMDAR functions, and provide a mechanistic framework to better guide patient care and therapeutic strategies.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:50px;width:100%;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-10 fusion_builder_column_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-8 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-padding-top:30px;--awb-padding-bottom:30px;--awb-background-color:#f8f8f8;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" id=\"what-is-autism\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-11 fusion_builder_column_3_4 3_4 fusion-three-fourth fusion-column-first\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;width:75%;width:calc(75% - ( ( 4% ) * 0.75 ) );margin-right: 4%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-9\" style=\"--awb-text-transform:none;\"><h3 style=\"--tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-color: #3b82f680; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload alignleft wp-image-25652 size-thumbnail\" style=\"--tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-color: #3b82f680; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000;\" src=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-1-150x150.png\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-1-150x150.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27150%27%20height%3D%27150%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20150%20150%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27150%27%20height%3D%27150%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-1-66x66.png 66w, https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-1-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-1-200x200.png 200w, https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-1-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-1.png 320w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/h3>\n<h3>Memory-guided decision making and cognitive flexibility in SCN2A haploinsufficiency<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Michael Coulter, M.D., Ph.D.<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>The Regents of the University of California, San Francisco<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>Young investigator (Post-doctoral Scholar and Specialist)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Many autistic individuals have cognitive impairment that interferes with daily functioning, and so developing interventions to improve cognitive function in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) can address a large unmet medical need. I have developed an animal model to address this need. Loss-of-function variants in SCN2A are one of the most commonly identified genetic causes of ASD. I model cognitive impairment by studying behavior and in vivo electrophysiology during spatial memory tasks in rats with Scn2a heterozygous loss-of-function (Scn2a+\/- ). I have found impairment in memory-guided decision making in Scn2a+\/- rats during these tasks and identified two electrophysiological changes associated with this impairment. I will use the Scn2a+\/- rat model to test if interventions targeting these specific changes can improve cognitive impairment. (1) My preliminary data show task-relevant hippocampal spatial representations of future locations are largely absent in Scn2a+\/- rats, and I have developed a closed-loop neurofeedback paradigm that can increase these representations; thus, I will test the hypothesis: increasing task-relevant spatial representations in Scn2a+\/- rats improves task learning. (2) My preliminary data also show increased electrophysiological seizure activity in these rats, and so, I will test the hypothesis: seizure reduction with ethosuximide improves task learning in Scn2a+\/- rats.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:50px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-12 fusion_builder_column_1_4 1_4 fusion-one-fourth fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;width:25%;width:calc(25% - ( ( 4% ) * 0.25 ) );\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-9 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"max-width:1315.6px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-13 fusion_builder_column_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-10\" style=\"--awb-text-transform:none;\"><h3 style=\"--tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-color: #3b82f680; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload size-full wp-image-25682 alignleft\" style=\"--tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-color: #3b82f680; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000;\" src=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/bloom-mulle.jpg\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/bloom-mulle.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"331\" height=\"217\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27331%27%20height%3D%27217%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20331%20217%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27331%27%20height%3D%27217%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/bloom-mulle-200x131.jpg 200w, https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/bloom-mulle-300x197.jpg 300w, https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/bloom-mulle.jpg 331w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 331px) 100vw, 331px\" \/><\/h3>\n<h3>Defining Molecular and Cellular Pathways in ASD: Insights from High Risk 3q29 Copy Number Variant<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Emanuel DiCicco-Bloom, M.D., and Jennifer Mulle, Ph.D.<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A major challenge in autism research is to understand the fundamental molecular and neurobiological mechanisms that disrupt brain development, structure, and function to produce diverse behavioral and cognitive abnormalities. Here we leverage a rare genetic copy number variant (CNV), 3q29 deletion (3q29Del), to learn about biological processes by which autism may arise. 3q29Del confers high risk for autism: males with 3q29Del are 15-times more likely to have autism, while risk rises to 36-times for females. As with other CNVs affecting neurodevelopment, 3q29Del also contributes to schizophrenia, depression, ADHD, ID. Our insights may promote comparative analysis of how specific clinical outcomes\/phenotypes emerge from relatively common versus distinct disruptions in downstream genetic programs. The 3q29Del mouse model is a key resource: our preliminary studies identify robust hyperproliferation of neural precursor cells (NPCs) in the embryonic day 15.5 (E15.5) cerebral cortex, a phenotype that is convergent with extensive evidence of dysregulated prenatal neurogenesis in ASD pathogenesis. In Aim 1, we fully characterize the extent of dysregulated NPC proliferation caused by 3q29Del from E13.5 to birth. In Aim 2 we identify changes in gene expression that mediate this alteration in neurogenesis. In Aim 3, we replace a key gene in the 3q29Del interval and assess whether neurogenesis can be restored. These data will support a 5-year NIH R01 proposal.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:50px;width:100%;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-14 fusion_builder_column_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-10 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-padding-top:30px;--awb-padding-bottom:30px;--awb-background-color:#f8f8f8;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" id=\"what-is-autism\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-15 fusion_builder_column_3_4 3_4 fusion-three-fourth fusion-column-first\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;width:75%;width:calc(75% - ( ( 4% ) * 0.75 ) );margin-right: 4%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-11\" style=\"--awb-text-transform:none;\"><h3><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload alignleft wp-image-25684 \" src=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/franch-e1763174144217.jpg\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/franch-e1763174144217.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"164\" height=\"227\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27164%27%20height%3D%27227%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20164%20227%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27164%27%20height%3D%27227%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/franch-e1763174144217-200x277.jpg 200w, https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/franch-e1763174144217-216x300.jpg 216w, https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/franch-e1763174144217.jpg 238w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 164px) 100vw, 164px\" \/>Single neuron encoding of language semantics and social signals in autism<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Melissa Franch, Ph.D.<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>Baylor College of Medicine<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>Young investigator (Post-doctoral Scholar)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Improving quality of life for individuals with profound autism and their caregivers is a critical goal for neuroscience. Profound autism involves multiple support needs that can limit independence, social integration, and employment. Neuromodulation, which benefits conditions such as Parkinson\u2019s disease and depression, may also improve communication and social interaction &#8211; hallmark deficits of profound autism. Appropriately targeted interventions could enhance attention to socially relevant visual and linguistic cues, improving social behavior and reducing disease burden. However, progress is limited by our incomplete understanding of the neural basis of communication in both neurotypical and autistic individuals. Effective communication depends on shared understanding of word meanings (semantics), which are shaped by context, the speaker\u2019s identity, and nonverbal cues. The brain binds these cues with semantics, a process disrupted in autism. The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) encodes social and linguistic information and is central to theories of salience dysfunction in autism. I hypothesize the ACC binds nonverbal cues and speaker identity to semantics, showing semiorthogonal binding in healthy individuals but dysregulated integration in autism. Using singleneuron recordings during natural conversations with gaze and speech tracking, I will examine linguistic-social integration. This work will characterize neurolinguistic mechanisms in autism and inform future neuromodulatory interventions.<\/p>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:25px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-16 fusion_builder_column_1_4 1_4 fusion-one-fourth fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;width:25%;width:calc(25% - ( ( 4% ) * 0.25 ) );\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-11 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"max-width:1315.6px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-17 fusion_builder_column_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-12\" style=\"--awb-text-transform:none;\"><h3><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-25686 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Krauth-e1763174306487.jpg\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Krauth-e1763174306487.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"211\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27150%27%20height%3D%27211%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20150%20211%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27150%27%20height%3D%27211%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Krauth-e1763174306487-200x281.jpg 200w, https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Krauth-e1763174306487-213x300.jpg 213w, https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Krauth-e1763174306487-400x562.jpg 400w, https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Krauth-e1763174306487.jpg 567w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/>Therapeutic Potential of Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Autism-Related Social Dysfunction<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Melissa Krauth, MS<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>University of Texas at Dallas<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>Young investigator (PhD Candidate)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Social dysfunction is required for autism diagnosis. Here we expand on promising results showing the FDA-approved therapy vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) improves social function in a rat model of autism. We will confirm robustness of this finding in a fully powered study in both male and female autism model animals using three different tests of social behavior: social interaction, social novelty, and ultrasonic vocalizations. We will apply machine learning techniques to more deeply understand social behaviors. Furthermore, we will explore the mechanism through which VNS improves sociability. We hypothesize that VNS modulates inhibitory drive in socially relevant brain regions, an emerging mechanism of autism-related social dysfunction. Deepening our understanding of this mechanism will help optimize VNS clinical delivery and pave the way to identify other therapies for social dysfunction operating with this mechanism.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:50px;width:100%;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-18 fusion_builder_column_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-12 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-padding-top:30px;--awb-padding-bottom:30px;--awb-background-color:#f8f8f8;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" id=\"what-is-autism\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-19 fusion_builder_column_3_4 3_4 fusion-three-fourth fusion-column-first\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;width:75%;width:calc(75% - ( ( 4% ) * 0.75 ) );margin-right: 4%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-13\" style=\"--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload alignleft wp-image-25660 size-thumbnail\" style=\"--tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-color: #3b82f680; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000;\" src=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-4-150x150.png\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-4-150x150.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27150%27%20height%3D%27150%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20150%20150%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27150%27%20height%3D%27150%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-4-66x66.png 66w, https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-4-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-4-200x200.png 200w, https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-4-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-4-400x400.png 400w, https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-4-600x600.png 600w, https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-4-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-4.png 800w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Autism-Related Sensory Processing Challenges as a Window into Selective Attention<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/h3>\n<div><strong>Katie McNair, Ph.D.<\/strong><\/div>\n<div><strong>Boston Children\u2019s Hospital<\/strong><\/div>\n<div><strong>Young investigator (Research fellow)<\/strong><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Up to 90% of autistic people experience sensory processing difficulties that lead to complex cognitive challenges, impacting quality of life. However, the mechanisms through which differences in lower-order sensory processing cascade into higher-order cognitive differences in autism are unclear. Partially, this is because standard measures of cognition often lack the precision needed to isolate and quantify underlying neural processes. This leaves a gap between low- and high-order descriptions of brain function that hinders the translation of basic research into real-world outcomes for autistic people. Selective attention (SA) is a cognitive function that directs neural resources towards goal-relevant stimuli. SA depends on sensory processing for input from the environment and simultaneously biases ongoing sensory processing in line with executive goals. Hence, SA offers a unique opportunity to capture the link between sensory processing and higher-order cognition. This project will (a) use measures of manual dynamics (hand movements) with an NIH-standardized cognitive task to investigate previously characterized subcomponents of SA, and (b) link these measures to objective electroencephalography (EEG) measures of sensory processing in autistic participants. Our work will provide a unique multi-level view into the neural building blocks that contribute to complex cognitive capacities, which are impacted in autism.<\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-13 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"max-width:1315.6px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-20 fusion_builder_column_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-14\" style=\"--awb-text-transform:none;\"><h3 style=\"--tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-color: #3b82f680; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload alignleft wp-image-25661 size-thumbnail\" style=\"--tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-color: #3b82f680; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000;\" src=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-5-150x150.png\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-5-150x150.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27150%27%20height%3D%27150%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20150%20150%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27150%27%20height%3D%27150%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-5-66x66.png 66w, https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-5-150x150.png 150w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/h3>\n<h3 style=\"--tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-color: #3b82f680; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000;\">The Effect of Early Intervention on the Auditory Cortex Proteome in a Transgenic Rat Model of Autism<\/h3>\n<div><strong>Isabella Myers, M.S.<\/strong><\/div>\n<div><strong>University of Texas at Dallas<\/strong><\/div>\n<div><strong>Young investigator (Graduate student)<\/strong><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Auditory processing is impaired in many neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorders (ASD). There is evidence that starting intervention at a younger age leads to better overall outcomes. Our recent evidence demonstrates this early intervention effect in a heterozygous Mecp2+\/- rat model of Rett syndrome, a genetic form of ASD. In both Rett syndrome and Mecp2+\/- rats, there is an initial period of typical development followed by a profound regression. We showed that extensive training on a complex speech discrimination task prior to regression significantly improves behavioral outcomes. Here, we aim to explore the molecular changes mediating this effect. We propose to use global protein analysis of auditory cortex tissue from early trained (prior to regression) and late trained (following regression) Mecp2+\/- rats to explore the molecular effects of training and establish the correlation to behavioral improvements. The findings from this work will draw insights into the molecular changes caused by early auditory intervention, provide potential targets for novel therapeutics, and potentially bolster efforts for early identification and intervention in neurodevelopmental disorders, including ASD.<\/div>\n<div class=\"boosts boosts--small metadata push--bottom boosts--threadable boosts--empty\" data-controller=\"boosts\" data-boosts-has-boosts-selector-value=\".boost:not(.boost-form)\" data-boosts-adding-selector-value=\".boost-form.expanded\" data-boosts-empty-class=\"boosts--empty\" data-boosts-adding-class=\"boosts--adding\" data-boosts-deleting-class=\"boost--deleting\">\n<div class=\"boost-form__link-container\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-21 fusion_builder_column_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-14 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-padding-top:30px;--awb-padding-bottom:30px;--awb-background-color:#f8f8f8;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" id=\"what-is-autism\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-22 fusion_builder_column_3_4 3_4 fusion-three-fourth fusion-column-first\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;width:75%;width:calc(75% - ( ( 4% ) * 0.75 ) );margin-right: 4%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-15\" style=\"--awb-text-transform:none;\"><h3 style=\"--tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-color: #3b82f680; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload alignleft wp-image-25662 size-thumbnail\" style=\"--tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-color: #3b82f680; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000;\" src=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-6-150x150.png\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-6-150x150.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27150%27%20height%3D%27150%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20150%20150%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27150%27%20height%3D%27150%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-6-66x66.png 66w, https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-6-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-6-200x200.png 200w, https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-6-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-6-400x400.png 400w, https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-6.png 600w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/h3>\n<h3>Pupillary light reaction as a predictive biomarker for response to propranolol in autism spectrum disorder<\/h3>\n<div>\n<div><strong>Matthew Prendergast, M.S.<\/strong><\/div>\n<div><strong>University of Missouri<\/strong><\/div>\n<div><strong>Young investigator (Graduate student)<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Recent work has shown that the beta-adrenergic antagonist propranolol has a significant benefit for anxiety in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Subsequent analysis of the data from this trial revealed that heart rate variability (HRV), a marker of sympathetic\/parasympathetic balance, predicted who benefited in domains beyond anxiety. However, measurement of the pupillary light reflex (PLR) may be a better marker of noradrenergic activity than HRV. Many clinical trials in ASD have been impacted by the marked heterogeneity of ASD, resulting in negative findings for the primary outcome measures when examining the whole sample. Therefore, having the optimal predictive biomarker is critical for future clinical trials. Thus, as propranolol targets the noradrenergic system, and PLR is an excellent biomarker for noradrenergic system function, I will examine PLR data from the propranolol trial to determine whether it predicts clinical responses beyond anxiety. In this manner, we can gain a greater understanding of who may be the best responders to propranolol, as this trial was characterized by some patients who had marked benefit from the drug while others had no response at all. This may lead to new approaches for personalized medicine, particularly for studies examining the effects of adrenergic-related drugs.<\/div>\n<div class=\"boosts boosts--small metadata push--bottom boosts--threadable boosts--empty\" data-controller=\"boosts\" data-boosts-has-boosts-selector-value=\".boost:not(.boost-form)\" data-boosts-adding-selector-value=\".boost-form.expanded\" data-boosts-empty-class=\"boosts--empty\" data-boosts-adding-class=\"boosts--adding\" data-boosts-deleting-class=\"boost--deleting\">\n<div class=\"boost-form__link-container\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-15 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"max-width:1315.6px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-23 fusion_builder_column_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-16\" style=\"--awb-text-transform:none;\"><h3 style=\"--tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-color: #3b82f680; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload alignleft wp-image-26014 size-thumbnail\" style=\"--tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-color: #3b82f680; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000;\" src=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Emily_picture-768x780-1-e1765217909947-150x150.jpg\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Emily_picture-768x780-1-e1765217909947-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27150%27%20height%3D%27150%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20150%20150%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27150%27%20height%3D%27150%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Emily_picture-768x780-1-e1765217909947-66x66.jpg 66w, https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Emily_picture-768x780-1-e1765217909947-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Emily_picture-768x780-1-e1765217909947-300x300.jpg 300w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/h3>\n<h3>Sleep and wake biomarkers of thalamocortical circuit dysfunction in autism<\/h3>\n<div>\n<div><strong>Emily Schwartz, Ph.D.<\/strong><\/div>\n<div><strong>Massachusetts General Hospital<\/strong><\/div>\n<div><strong>Young investigator (Post-doctoral scholar)<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Sleep disturbances affect up to 80% of individuals with autism, yet underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood and effective treatments are lacking. Evidence implicates thalamocortical circuitry in both sleep disruptions and waking symptoms of autism. Given its role in filtering sensory information, disruptions in this circuitry may lead to heightened sensory sensitivities and frequent arousals from sleep. This proposal will test the hypothesis that thalamocortical circuitry underlies sleep disturbances and sensory sensitivities in autism using converging wake (40Hz auditory steady-state responses; ASSRs, mismatch negativity; MMN and sleep (spindles and spindle\u2013slow oscillation coupling) electrophysiological biomarkers of circuit dysfunction. Aim 1 will test whether wake and sleep biomarkers differ in autism. We predict there will be reduced spindle density and weaker spindle\u2013slow oscillation coupling during sleep, and lower 40Hz ASSRs and MMNs, during wake in autism compared to typically developing peers. We also hypothesize that sleep and wake biomarkers will be correlated. In Aim 2, we will examine whether greater abnormalities in wake and sleep biomarkers are related to more sensory sensitivities and worse sleep. Findings will support thalamocortical circuitry as a target for treatment and establish converging biomarkers for evaluating interventions.<\/div>\n<div class=\"boosts boosts--small metadata push--bottom boosts--threadable boosts--empty\" data-controller=\"boosts\" data-boosts-has-boosts-selector-value=\".boost:not(.boost-form)\" data-boosts-adding-selector-value=\".boost-form.expanded\" data-boosts-empty-class=\"boosts--empty\" data-boosts-adding-class=\"boosts--adding\" data-boosts-deleting-class=\"boost--deleting\">\n<div class=\"boost-form__link-container\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-24 fusion_builder_column_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-16 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"max-width:1315.6px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-25 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:40px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-default fusion-button-default button-12 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/research-we-fund\/\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text\">Learn more about research we fund<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:40px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:40px;width:100%;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"100-width.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-25737","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.6 (Yoast SEO v27.1.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>ARI-Funded Research Studies 2025 - Autism Research Institute<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Research has the potential to improve the health and well-being of autistic people. 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