Investigating brain aging in adults with autism spectrum disorder
Official title: Brain Aging Across the Lifespan in Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Funded at University of California at Davis · NIH-10990531 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how autism spectrum disorder (ASD) impacts the aging of the brain in adults, aiming to find out what changes happen in brain cells and inflammation as people with ASD get older, so we can better understand their cognitive health over time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California at Davis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Davis, United States) |
| Project start | November 20, 2023 |
| Project end | October 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $680,461 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH133068-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10990531 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, particularly those who are experiencing age-related cognitive changes.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder or those who are not experiencing age-related cognitive issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects brain aging in adults. It aims to identify specific cell types and neuroinflammatory markers that change as individuals with ASD age, particularly looking at the differences in brain structure and function over time. By examining postmortem adult brains that are clinically and genetically characterized, the study seeks to uncover the underlying mechanisms that may lead to cognitive decline and other age-related conditions in this population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and management of age-related cognitive decline in adults with autism spectrum disorder.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been some research on brain aging in general, this specific focus on adults with autism spectrum disorder and its unique neurodevelopmental aspects is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California at Davis
Davis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schumann, Cynthia — University of California at Davis
- Study coordinator: Schumann, Cynthia
Related research
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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.