Understanding mortality risks in individuals with autism spectrum disorder.
Official title: Mortality in Autism
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-10931467 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how long people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) live compared to those without it, and it aims to understand the reasons behind any differences, so we can help improve health for individuals with ASD.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 19, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $400,203 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD108138-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10931467 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals of all ages diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, particularly those who are Medicaid beneficiaries.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder or those not covered by Medicaid may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to investigate the mortality rates and life expectancy of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) compared to those without ASD. It will analyze age- and sex-specific mortality risks, examine causes of death, and identify factors that may influence these risks, such as gender and intellectual disability. The study will also explore racial and ethnic disparities in mortality among Medicaid beneficiaries. By gathering and analyzing this data, the research seeks to provide insights that could lead to improved health outcomes for individuals with ASD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to strategies that significantly reduce mortality rates and enhance the quality of life for individuals with autism.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been limited research on mortality in autism, this study addresses a critical gap and aims to provide novel insights into the lifespan issues faced by individuals with ASD.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Guohua — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Li, Guohua
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Neural roots of how autistic adults understand word meaning
A study to understand how adults with autism process word meanings in the brain, aiming to improve language support.
-
Sleep and daily rhythms and brain development in autism
Aiming to understand how sleep problems and daily activity patterns affect brain growth, thinking skills, daily functioning, and autism symptoms in children.
-
Early sensory development and language in infants/toddlers at risk for autism
A family-friendly study exploring how early sensory responses relate to language development in young children who have siblings with autism.
-
Autism Caregiver Coaching in Africa for Young Children
A Duke University-led project in South Africa aims to help young children with autism by training caregivers to deliver proven coaching strategies through non-specialist providers.
-
Autism and Self-regulation: Remote Testing of Heart-Related Signals in Kids
A study to see if remote testing can safely measure how children with autism and disruptive behavior manage emotions and self-control by tracking heart signals and other markers.
-
Understanding brain signals in autism to identify biologically distinct subtypes
This study uses EEG to link how the brain processes sensory information with behavior in young children with autism and related concerns.
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.