Understanding anxiety in adolescents with autism through body responses
Official title: Assessing Anxiety in Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder: The Role of Autonomic Activity as a Biomarker
Funded at Univ of Maryland, College Park · NIH-11051908 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Maryland, College Park NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Park, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $194,957 |
| NIH project number | 5K08MH133879-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11051908 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 0-14 years who are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, particularly those experiencing anxiety symptoms.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have autism spectrum disorder or who are outside the age range of 0-14 years may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how autonomic activity, which reflects the body's physiological responses, can serve as a biomarker for anxiety in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). By collecting data from both autistic and non-autistic adolescents, the study aims to identify patterns of autonomic activity that correlate with anxiety levels. The research will also consider the impact of ecological context and race on these relationships, utilizing real-time monitoring techniques to gather data in natural settings. This approach seeks to provide a more objective measure of anxiety in this population, which has historically faced challenges in accurate diagnosis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved methods for identifying and managing anxiety in adolescents with autism, ultimately enhancing their mental health and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using physiological measures to assess anxiety in various populations, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights for adolescents with autism.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Maryland, College Park
College Park, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yarger, Heather — Univ of Maryland, College Park
- Study coordinator: Yarger, Heather
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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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.
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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.
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Understanding and treating anxiety in children with autism
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.
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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.