Noncoding RNAs and Autism: How RNA Elements Shape Neurodevelopment
Official title: Noncoding RNAs in Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Funded at Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences · NIH-11365359 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how long noncoding RNAs in the brain may influence autism and related neurodevelopmental disorders so future treatments could target these RNA pieces.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (East Lansing, United States) |
| Project start | August 13, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $709,408 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HD118985-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11365359 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with autism spectrum disorder or related neurodevelopmental conditions, or family members contributing to genetic studies, could benefit from future advances stemming from this work.
✕Less likely to help
People without neurodevelopmental concerns are unlikely to directly benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This project looks at how specific long noncoding RNAs, which do not code for proteins, affect brain development and contribute to autism. By examining RNAs like MSNP1AS and RPS10P2-AS1 in neural cells and postmortem brain tissue, the team aims to link genetic signals from ASD GWAS studies to real biological effects. The work combines genetics, gene expression analysis, and cellular models to understand how these RNAs alter gene networks and neuronal structure. The findings could point to new avenues for therapies that modify RNA-related pathways in neurodevelopmental disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could guide new approaches to diagnose, monitor, or treat autism by targeting RNA-based mechanisms.
How similar studies have gone: Past work links certain lncRNAs to ASD biology, and similar approaches have yielded insights into gene networks affecting brain development.
Where this research is happening
-
Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences
East Lansing, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Campbell, Daniel Brian — Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Campbell, Daniel Brian
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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.