Early brain inflammation and gene switches linked to higher autism risk in boys
Neuroinflammation, Epigenetics and Male Vulnerability
This project will see if inflammation and gene-level switches during early brain development raise autism risk in boys.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11218704 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you are a parent, researchers are studying how brief periods of inflammation and changes in gene regulation during early life can shape male brain development. They work mainly in lab models to trace how brain immune cells — microglia and mast cells — change during critical windows and how that affects circuits tied to social and hormonal development. The team will map different mast cell populations over time and test how inflammation or epigenetic changes alter brain wiring. The goal is to identify time windows and biological mechanisms that might be targeted to reduce male-biased risk for autism.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would be families with infant or young boys at increased risk for autism or showing early developmental concerns, if human enrollment occurs.
Not a fit: Adults with long-established autism or people without a focus on early male brain development are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this developmental, preclinical work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to specific times and biological targets for preventing or reducing male-biased autism risk.
How similar studies have performed: Animal studies have linked neuroinflammation and microglia to developmental brain changes, but focusing on mast cells and epigenetic drivers of male-specific autism risk is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- University of Maryland Baltimore — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mccarthy, Margaret M. — University of Maryland Baltimore
- Study coordinator: Mccarthy, Margaret M.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.