Measuring gastrointestinal symptoms in autistic individuals
Official title: Development and Psychometric Evaluation of Gastrointestinal Symptom Measures in Autistic Children and Adults
Funded at Hugo W. Moser Res Inst Kennedy Krieger · NIH-10808460 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new tool to help parents report their child's tummy troubles and related behaviors, making it easier for doctors to recognize and treat gastrointestinal issues in kids and adults with autism.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Hugo W. Moser Res Inst Kennedy Krieger NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | August 12, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $340,604 |
| NIH project number | 1R21HD111609-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10808460 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include autistic children and adults experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain or acid reflux.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without gastrointestinal symptoms or those not on the autism spectrum may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing and evaluating new measures to accurately assess gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in children and adults on the autism spectrum. It aims to address the barriers that autistic individuals face in having their GI symptoms recognized and treated. The study involves creating a comprehensive parent-report measure called the Autism Gastrointestinal and Related Behaviors Inventory (GIRBI), which captures a wide range of GI signs and symptoms, including those related to mealtime behaviors and non-verbal indicators of distress. By improving the measurement of GI symptoms, the research seeks to enhance the screening and diagnosis of GI conditions in this population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better recognition and treatment of gastrointestinal issues in autistic individuals, improving their overall quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has highlighted the need for improved GI symptom measures in autistic populations, indicating that this approach is both necessary and timely.
Where this research is happening
-
Hugo W. Moser Res Inst Kennedy Krieger
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Holingue, Calliope — Hugo W. Moser Res Inst Kennedy Krieger
- Study coordinator: Holingue, Calliope
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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.