Investigating environmental factors that may contribute to autism spectrum disorder.
Official title: A systematic study of the environmental etiology of autism spectrum disorder using high-throughput behavioral screening
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-11238277 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain chemicals in the environment might affect social behavior and contribute to autism, using zebrafish to help find out more about these risks and how a specific enzyme plays a role in this process.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $123,784 |
| NIH project number | 3R00ES031050-04S2 |
| Project ID | NIH-11238277 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder or those at risk of developing ASD due to environmental exposures.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have autism spectrum disorder or are not at risk due to environmental factors may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores how environmental factors influence the risk of developing autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Using a zebrafish model, the study employs a high-throughput behavioral assay to identify chemicals that may inhibit social behavior, a key symptom of ASD. The researchers aim to characterize the role of a specific enzyme, topoisomerase II, in social behavior development, which could reveal important insights into the environmental contributors to autism. By screening a large number of compounds, the study seeks to uncover potential risk factors that could inform prevention strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a better understanding of environmental risk factors for autism, potentially guiding prevention and intervention strategies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in identifying environmental factors related to autism, but this specific approach using zebrafish is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Geng, Yijie — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Geng, Yijie
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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.