Investigating how maternal immune activation and viral infections may contribute to autism.
Official title: Contribution of maternal immune activation, viral infection and epigenetics to autism--a community-based case control study
Funded at Institute for Basic Res in Dev Disabil · NIH-11110309 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how infections during pregnancy might affect a baby's brain development and increase the chances of autism, by comparing the health of children with autism to those without, to find clues that could help us understand this better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Institute for Basic Res in Dev Disabil NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Staten Island, United States) |
| Project start | May 3, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $650,386 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD109330-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11110309 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and their mothers, particularly those who experienced complications during pregnancy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are older than 11 years or those without a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the potential links between maternal immune activation, viral infections during pregnancy, and the development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children. By examining placental histopathology and its relationship to ASD diagnoses, the study aims to identify specific biological markers that could indicate increased risk. The research will involve a community-based case-control approach, analyzing data from children diagnosed with ASD and comparing it to those without the diagnosis. This could provide valuable insights into the prenatal factors influencing neurodevelopment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to early identification and intervention strategies for children at risk of developing autism.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated a correlation between prenatal inflammation and increased risk of autism, suggesting that this approach may yield significant findings.
Where this research is happening
-
Institute for Basic Res in Dev Disabil
Staten Island, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Salafia, Carolyn M — Institute for Basic Res in Dev Disabil
- Study coordinator: Salafia, Carolyn M
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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.