Understanding the causes of neurodevelopmental disorders in children
Expanding the Value of the EARLI study: Small Cohort with Big Data
This study is looking at what might cause Autism Spectrum Disorder by gathering information from families who have a child with ASD, especially focusing on the role of genetics and things that happen during pregnancy, and it’s designed for pregnant women who already have a child with ASD to help us learn more about these conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10731734 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the underlying causes of neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), by analyzing data collected from families with a history of ASD. It focuses on gathering information about genetic and environmental factors, especially prenatal exposures, that may contribute to these disorders. The study utilizes a unique approach by following pregnant women who already have a child with ASD, allowing for in-depth data collection over several years. Participants will provide biosamples and complete surveys about their home environment, contributing to a large database of information that can help identify risk factors for neurodevelopmental disorders.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include pregnant women who have a child diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Not a fit: Patients without a family history of Autism Spectrum Disorder or those who are not pregnant may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved prevention strategies for neurodevelopmental disorders in children.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies using similar enriched familial-risk designs have shown promise in understanding neurodevelopmental disorders.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Volk, Heather E — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Volk, Heather E
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.