Understanding early communication in children with tuberous sclerosis complex and its link to autism.
Official title: Early Communication in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) and its Prediction of Autism
Funded at University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr · NIH-11105881 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how babies with tuberous sclerosis complex learn to communicate and how those skills might relate to the severity of autism, by watching videos of their vocal sounds and interactions over time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Memphis, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $197,624 |
| NIH project number | 5K23DC019440-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11105881 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are infants aged 0-11 years diagnosed with tuberous sclerosis complex.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have tuberous sclerosis complex or are older than 11 years may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how early communication skills develop in infants with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) and how these skills may predict the severity of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The study will analyze audio-video recordings of infants to assess their vocal development and shared attention behaviors. By tracking these developmental milestones over time, researchers aim to identify key predictors of language outcomes and ASD severity. This approach combines various measurement techniques to provide a comprehensive understanding of language development in this population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved early interventions for children with TSC and ASD, enhancing their communication skills and overall development.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding language development in similar populations, indicating that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr
Memphis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gipson, Tanjala Trinette — University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr
- Study coordinator: Gipson, Tanjala Trinette
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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.