Understanding brain signals in autism to identify biologically distinct subtypes
Official title: Paradoxical Sensory Responses: A Clue Towards Understanding Biotypes in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Other Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Funded at Boston Children's Hospital · NIH-11532027 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study uses EEG to link how the brain processes sensory information with behavior in young children with autism and related concerns.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $9,115 |
| NIH project number | 3R01NS134948-03S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11532027 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children aged 3 to 4 years, including those diagnosed with ASD, typically developing children, and children with sensory-processing concerns.
✕Less likely to help
Children outside the 3–4 year age range or without any sensory-processing concerns may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers at Boston Children’s Hospital will use non-invasive EEG to measure how sensory processing relates to behavior in 3–4 year olds, including children with autism, typical development, and those with sensory-processing concerns. The goal is to find biologically meaningful brain patterns that could group individuals into subtypes and help explain different outcomes. The study will follow children over time to see how early brain signals relate to later function and symptoms. This work could pave the way for personalized approaches based on neural circuitry rather than behavior alone.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to earlier, more precise classification and targeted interventions based on brain biology.
How similar studies have gone: Past studies show EEG can reflect sensory processing differences in young children with ASD, suggesting the approach is promising but still exploratory.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston Children's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Levin, April R. — Boston Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Levin, April R.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Using sensory brain responses to find brain-based subtypes in autism and related conditions
This project records brain activity with EEG in 3–4 year-old children with autism or sensory concerns to find brain-based groups that relate to behavior.
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Understanding sensory responses in autism and related disorders
This study is looking at how young children, especially those with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other developmental differences, respond to sensory experiences by using a safe and gentle brain scan, hoping to find ways to better understand and help them.
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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.
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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.
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Sleep problems in autism and daily functioning
A large study at a major university is looking at how sleep problems affect children with autism and their daily lives.
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Sleep and ASD: Understanding how sleep problems relate to autism symptoms
A Stanford team is studying whether sleep problems contribute to and worsen autism symptoms in children and how improving sleep could help.
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.