Understanding sensory responses in autism and related disorders
Official title: Paradoxical Sensory Responses: A Clue Towards Understanding Biotypes in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Other Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Funded at Boston Children's Hospital · NIH-11057571 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how young children, especially those with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other developmental differences, respond to sensory experiences by using a safe and gentle brain scan, hoping to find ways to better understand and help them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $470,363 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS134948-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11057571 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation are children aged 3-4 years who are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, typically developing children, or those with sensory processing concerns.
✕Less likely to help
Patients outside the age range of 3-4 years or those without sensory processing concerns may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how sensory processing in young children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other neurodevelopmental conditions can be measured using non-invasive electroencephalography (EEG). By analyzing brain activity in response to sensory stimuli, the study aims to identify distinct biological groups or 'biotypes' within these conditions. The research involves children aged 3-4 years, including those with ASD, typically developing children, and those with sensory processing concerns. The goal is to develop biomarkers that can improve diagnosis and treatment outcomes for these children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate diagnoses and tailored interventions for children with autism and related disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using EEG to understand sensory processing in neurodevelopmental disorders, indicating that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston Children's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Levin, April R. — Boston Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Levin, April R.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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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.
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Anxiety Management for Young Children with Autism
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Sleep problems in autism and daily functioning
A large study at a major university is looking at how sleep problems affect children with autism and their daily lives.
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Sleep and ASD: Understanding how sleep problems relate to autism symptoms
A Stanford team is studying whether sleep problems contribute to and worsen autism symptoms in children and how improving sleep could help.
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.