Using sensory brain responses to find brain-based subtypes in autism and related conditions
Paradoxical Sensory Responses: A Clue Towards Understanding Biotypes in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Other Neurodevelopmental Disorders
This project records brain activity with EEG in 3–4 year-old children with autism or sensory concerns to find brain-based groups that relate to behavior.
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 ID | NIH-11314597 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If my child joins, researchers will place non-invasive EEG sensors on their head and play sounds to measure how their brain processes sensory input. They plan to enroll 150 children with ASD, 150 children with sensory concerns but not ASD, and 75 typically developing children, all aged 3–4 years. The team will compare the brain responses to behavior to look for patterns that group children into biological “biotypes” rather than only behavioral labels. The goal is to create objective biomarkers that could help tailor future treatments and better predict outcomes for young children.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Children aged 3–4 with a diagnosis of autism, children whose caregivers report sensory processing concerns, and typically developing children for comparison are the intended participants.
Not a fit: Older children, adults, or children without sensory concerns may not directly benefit from this study's immediate results.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could produce brain-based markers that help personalize care and early interventions for young children with autism or sensory processing problems.
How similar studies have performed: Prior EEG studies have shown measurable differences in sensory processing in autism, but using these signals to define reliable biological subtypes is still an emerging and not-yet-established approach.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Boston Children's Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Levin, April R. — Boston Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Levin, April R.
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.