Noncoding DNA changes linked to neurodevelopmental disorders
Official title: Noncoding mutations in neurodevelopmental disorders
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11355565 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how rare noncoding DNA changes might contribute to autism and related developmental conditions in people, to better understand why these disorders occur.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2022 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $648,319 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH126933-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11355565 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with autism spectrum disorder or related neurodevelopmental disorders who have participated in family-based genetic studies or who have whole-genome sequencing data available.
✕Less likely to help
No immediate treatment or cure is provided by this research; it is a discovery study.
What this research studies
This project looks at how noncoding parts of the genome influence neurodevelopmental disorders like autism. It builds on previous findings from autism families and plans to analyze a much larger group of families to identify important noncoding regions. The team will use statistical methods and advanced assays to test whether certain noncoding variants affect gene regulation, then validate promising variants with experiments and compare different reference genomes. The goal is to connect specific noncoding changes to how brain development goes awry in affected individuals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Growing understanding of noncoding DNA could lead to better diagnostics and targeted approaches for autism and related conditions.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has shown enrichment in noncoding regions in autism, and this project aims to expand and validate those findings in a much larger cohort.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Turner, Tychele Naomi — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Turner, Tychele Naomi
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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.