Neural roots of how autistic adults understand word meaning
Official title: Neural bases of semantic language challenges in autism
Funded at Ut Southwestern Medical Center · NIH-11640092 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to understand how adults with autism process word meanings in the brain, aiming to improve language support.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project start | September 18, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $659,399 |
| NIH project number | 1R56DC023225-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11640092 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults (21+ years) with autism who experience semantic language difficulties and are able to undergo brain imaging.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without language difficulties or those unable to participate in brain-imaging procedures may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on adults with autism who have language challenges, exploring how their brains process word meanings across a wide range of words and semantic categories. It shifts beyond traditional brain imaging by sampling more words and looking at the whole brain, including the cerebellum, to uncover why semantic language is difficult for some individuals with ASD. The findings could inform more effective, less burdensome language therapies in the future. Participants may contribute brain imaging data and related assessments to help map semantic processing in ASD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of semantic language in ASD could lead to more targeted and efficient language therapies for autistic adults.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research shows semantic language processing differences in ASD, with new approaches promising broader brain sampling and cerebellar involvement, but results are still evolving.
Where this research is happening
-
Ut Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dmello, Anila — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Dmello, Anila
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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.