How genes and brain structure contribute to autism
Estimating The Fraction of Variance Explained by Genetics and Neuroanatomy in Neuropsychiatric Conditions
This project measures how much genetics and brain scans together can explain why some people have autism.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11136984 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will combine large-scale genetic data and brain imaging from people with and without autism to see how much each type of information explains differences in the condition. They will use statistical methods that handle many genetic variants and detailed brain measurements at once to calculate the portion of autism risk accounted for by these biomarkers. The team will compare the contributions of genetics and neuroanatomy and explore how they overlap. Findings will help point to which biological measures might be most useful for future diagnostic tools or targeted research.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with autism, and possibly family members, who have or can provide DNA and brain MRI data would be the most relevant candidates for related participation.
Not a fit: People without genetic or imaging data, or those looking for immediate treatment changes, are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this statistical research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could clarify which biological signals best predict autism risk and guide development of better diagnostics and targeted research into treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Large genetic and brain-imaging projects have offered useful insights but have so far explained only a limited share of autism risk, so this project builds on established methods to close that gap.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- University of California, San Diego — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schwartzman, Armin — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Schwartzman, Armin
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.