Understanding Speech in Autism
Neural mechanisms of speech motor control in Autism Spectrum Disorders
This project looks at how the brain controls speech in children and teenagers with Autism Spectrum Disorder to help us find better ways to support their communication.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11098471 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many children and teenagers with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) find it hard to speak, and we don't fully understand why. This project uses special brain imaging techniques and behavioral tasks to learn more about how their brains process sounds and control speech. By looking at brain chemicals and how different brain areas connect, we hope to pinpoint the specific challenges that make speaking difficult for them. This deeper understanding could pave the way for new and more effective therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for future related studies would be children and adolescents, both with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder, who are experiencing speech difficulties.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have Autism Spectrum Disorder or speech difficulties related to it may not directly benefit from this specific line of research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new, targeted treatments that address the root causes of speech difficulties in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
How similar studies have performed: Preliminary work has shown that changing how individuals with ASD hear their own speech can affect their speaking, providing a foundation for this deeper exploration of brain mechanisms.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Demopoulos, Carly — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Demopoulos, Carly
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.