Understanding healthy aging in adults with autism

Toward Healthy Aging in Adults with Autism: A Longitudinal Clinical and Multimodal Brain Imaging Study

NIH-funded research University of Wisconsin-Madison · NIH-10875412

This study is looking at how getting older affects adults with autism by tracking their health and brain changes over time, and it includes both autistic and non-autistic people to see what helps or hinders their well-being as they age.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Madison, United States)
Project IDNIH-10875412 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how aging affects adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by following a large group of autistic individuals over time. The study aims to assess various aspects of health and wellness, including mental and physical health, cognitive function, and brain structure through advanced imaging techniques. Participants will include both autistic adults and non-autistic individuals for comparison, allowing researchers to identify factors that contribute to better or worse health outcomes as they age. The study employs a comprehensive and harmonized approach to gather data on clinical severity, cognitive aging, and biological aging.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder.

Not a fit: Patients who are younger than 21 years old or do not have a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved health outcomes and quality of life for aging adults with autism.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promising results in understanding aging in autistic populations, but this study aims to provide a more comprehensive and longitudinal perspective.

Where this research is happening

Madison, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.