Understanding pain in autistic adults
Measurement and Mechanisms of Pain in Autistic Adults
This project looks at how autistic adults feel and express pain so care can better recognize and treat it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11098599 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you are an autistic adult, researchers will compare how you experience and show pain with non-autistic adults. They will use questionnaires, controlled sensory and pain tasks, and measures of anxiety and nervous system or brain responses to gather information. The team aims to identify whether sensory sensitivity, pain-related anxiety, or changes in nervous system processing contribute to persistent pain. Results will be used to guide clearer ways for clinicians to spot and manage pain in autistic adults.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Autistic adults (21 years and older) who can give informed consent and take part in sensory and pain testing are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Children, people without an autism diagnosis, or people who cannot tolerate or consent to experimental pain or sensory testing are unlikely to benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to better pain detection and more appropriate pain treatments for autistic adults.
How similar studies have performed: Smaller prior studies have found altered pain sensitivity, increased pain-related anxiety, and different brain responses in autistic people, but comprehensive work in adults is still emerging.
Where this research is happening
Columbus, UNITED STATES
- Ohio State University — Columbus, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Failla, Michelle Dawn — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Failla, Michelle Dawn
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.