Understanding Immune System and Reward Responses in Autism
Immune Functioning and Reward Processing in Autism
This project looks at how the immune system and brain's reward circuits are connected in young children with autism spectrum disorder.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11138726 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We want to understand if there is a link between how the immune system works and how the brain processes social rewards in children with autism. Some theories suggest that reduced enjoyment from social interactions might affect social development in autism. We will measure brain responses to social rewards using EEG and check for signs of inflammation in blood samples. This helps us see if inflammation might be interfering with how the brain responds to social interactions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project is looking for children with autism spectrum disorder, specifically those between 0 and 11 years old.
Not a fit: Patients outside the specified age range or without an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis would not be suitable for this particular project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help us understand new ways to support social development and improve quality of life for children with autism.
How similar studies have performed: No prior research has specifically examined the relationship between immune function and brain responses to social rewards in autism, making this a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
Chapel Hill, United States
- Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dichter, Gabriel S — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Dichter, Gabriel S
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 below.