Investigating how social and cognitive factors affect aging in autistic individuals
Official title: Social, Cognitive, and Behavioral Influences on Early Life Aging in Autism
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-10892186 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how different social and personal factors affect aging in people with autism, and it aims to find clues in their DNA that could help us understand their health as they get older, so we can find ways to support them better throughout their lives.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | August 5, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $182,068 |
| NIH project number | 5K01MH128612-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10892186 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include autistic individuals, particularly those in midlife, who may be at risk for cognitive and health declines.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have autism spectrum disorder or those who are not in the midlife age range may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how social, cognitive, and behavioral influences impact the aging process in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It aims to identify biological markers of aging through advanced techniques that analyze DNA methylation patterns, which may indicate risks for health declines as autistic individuals age. By studying these markers, the research seeks to uncover the relationship between early life experiences and later life health outcomes, potentially allowing for early interventions. The study will also explore how variations in these biological markers correlate with brain aging indicators.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to early identification of autistic individuals at risk for adverse health outcomes, enabling timely interventions to improve their quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using biological markers to predict health outcomes in aging populations, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights for autistic individuals as well.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dickinson, Abigail H — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Dickinson, Abigail H
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Cognitive SuperAging: Exploring why some octogenarians stay sharp in memory
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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.