Understanding and treating anxiety in children with autism
Official title: Anxiety in Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-10924052 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how anxiety affects kids with autism and is testing a medication called buspirone to see if it can help reduce their anxiety symptoms, all while trying to understand how their bodies respond to treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 7, 2023 |
| Project end | January 19, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $128,724 |
| NIH project number | 5K99MH135180-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10924052 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder who experience significant anxiety symptoms.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have autism spectrum disorder or those without anxiety symptoms may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates anxiety disorders in youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), focusing on identifying biological markers that correlate with anxiety severity. The study aims to conduct a clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness of buspirone, a medication, in reducing anxiety symptoms in these children. By utilizing advanced measures of the autonomic nervous system, the research seeks to uncover the mechanisms behind treatment responses. This approach is designed to improve the quality of care for youth with ASD who struggle with anxiety.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for anxiety in children with autism, improving their overall quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that innovative approaches to treating anxiety in youth with ASD can lead to meaningful advancements, although this specific trial represents a novel effort.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Thom, Robyn P. — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Thom, Robyn P.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Anxiety Management for Young Children with Autism
A study at a major hospital will test a medication called buspirone in young children with autism to see if it helps reduce anxiety.
-
Autism and Anxiety in Teens: Using Heart Signals to Understand Feelings
A physician-researcher at a university is studying whether autonomic signals like heart rate can serve as a simple clue to anxiety in autistic teens.
-
Understanding how anxiety and ADHD affect autism spectrum disorder
This study is looking at how conditions like anxiety and ADHD affect children with autism, so we can better understand their needs and improve how we diagnose and treat them.
-
Understanding anxiety in adolescents with autism through body responses
This study is looking at how the body's natural responses can help us understand anxiety in teenagers with autism, and it aims to find patterns that show how anxiety levels change in different situations and among different backgrounds.
-
Understanding brain signals in autism to identify biologically distinct subtypes
This study uses EEG to link how the brain processes sensory information with behavior in young children with autism and related concerns.
-
Paternal exposures and sperm epigenetics linked to autism in children
This project looks at how a father's environment and health before conception might influence autism risk in his children.
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.