Investigating how early life experiences affect autism through genetic changes
Official title: Perinatal Experience and Epigenetic Change in Autism: Discovering Modifiable Pathways for Intervention
Funded at University of Iowa · NIH-11184233 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how things like stress during pregnancy and early social interactions might affect the development of autism in children, and it’s for expectant moms who want to help their little ones by using a handy app to track their child's growth and any signs of autism.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Iowa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Iowa City, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $657,890 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD102619-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11184233 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation include pregnant women and their children, particularly those with a family history of autism or developmental delays.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or whose children are older than 30 months may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the connection between perinatal experiences, such as prenatal stress and early social interactions, and their impact on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) through epigenetic changes. By recruiting over 7,200 pregnant women, the study will utilize a smartphone application called BabySteps to gather data from the third trimester of pregnancy until 30 months after delivery. The app will help screen children for symptoms of ASD or developmental delays, leading to further diagnostic assessments. The goal is to identify modifiable pathways that could lead to interventions for children at risk of ASD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new interventions that improve social communication skills in children at risk for autism.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of early life experiences in autism, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Iowa
Iowa City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Strathearn, Lane — University of Iowa
- Study coordinator: Strathearn, Lane
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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.