Using advanced MRI to understand early brain development in children with autism
Official title: Computational Neuroimaging MRI for Studying Early Brain Development with Autism
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11017825 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the brains of young children with autism develop using special brain scans, hoping to find early signs that can help doctors diagnose and support these kids sooner.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $453,197 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH133845-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11017825 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are infants and young children under the age of 11 who are at risk for or diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are older than 11 years or those without a diagnosis or risk factors for autism may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on utilizing advanced neuroimaging techniques, specifically MRI, to study the early brain development of children diagnosed with autism. By analyzing large-scale multimodal neuroimaging data, the project aims to identify early biomarkers that could lead to earlier diagnosis and intervention for autism. The methodology involves precise imaging and computational tools to characterize brain structures and growth patterns in infants, which may reveal critical insights into autism's origins. The goal is to enhance early detection methods, allowing for timely support and treatment for affected children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier diagnosis and intervention for children with autism, improving their developmental outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using neuroimaging techniques to identify biomarkers for autism, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Li — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Wang, Li
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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.