Understanding how children's brains respond to sensory overload
Official title: Neural mechanisms of sensory over-responsivity in children with and without ASD
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11137322 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at why some children with autism have strong negative reactions to everyday sounds, sights, and touches, and it hopes to find ways to help them feel better and enjoy life more.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $249,000 |
| NIH project number | 4R00HD109454-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11137322 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years who exhibit sensory over-responsivity, particularly those diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
✕Less likely to help
Children who do not experience sensory over-responsivity or those outside the age range of 0-11 years may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates sensory over-responsivity (SOR) in children, particularly those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It aims to identify the neural mechanisms that lead to strong negative reactions to everyday sensory stimuli, which can cause significant distress and impairment in social and developmental functioning. By studying how typical sensory processing occurs in the brain, the research seeks to uncover what goes wrong in children with SOR, potentially leading to better interventions. The findings could help improve the quality of life for affected children and their families.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for children suffering from sensory over-responsivity, improving their daily experiences and overall well-being.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding sensory processing in typical populations, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights into sensory over-responsivity.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schwarzlose, Rebecca — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Schwarzlose, Rebecca
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Using MRI to measure brain oxygen levels as an early sign of small vessel disease in the brain
This study is looking at how measuring oxygen levels in the brain with MRI can help spot early signs of small vessel disease, which is linked to memory problems and dementia, especially Alzheimer's, so if you're at risk due to age or high blood pressure, you might be able to participate in MRI scans to learn more about
-
Advanced Methods & Modeling for Better Patient Care
A funding opportunity focused on developing new modeling methods to improve health care for patients through better data use and analytics.
-
Advanced methods and modeling for health research at Washington University
A health research grant at Washington University funds new modeling methods to support future patient-focused studies.
-
Center for Research in Emerging Infectious Diseases: Epidemiology, Surveillance and Pathogenesis
A NIH program will study and monitor emerging viruses from the Midwest U.S. and three Asian sites to understand how they spread and affect people.
-
How Poverty and the Environment Affect Heart Disease in Haiti and Beyond
This grant studies how poverty-related factors like food insecurity, stress, and pollution contribute to heart disease and aims to follow a large group of adults to better understand and prevent the disease.
-
Wearable tech to track blood loss during childbirth
A wearable device monitors cardiovascular signals to detect postpartum hemorrhage early so clinicians can act quickly to protect mothers.
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.