NIH Grant: Early Biomarkers of Autism Spectrum Disorders in Infants with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex, Autism Centers of Excellence
Project Description:
Need: Despite the high rate of autism and cognitive impairment in children with tuberious sclerosis complex (TSC), no studies have prospectively investigated the exact neural correlates or clinical predictors of neurodevelopmental disorders in TSC.
Overall goals and objectives: Aim 1: To create an infrastructure for clinical treatment trials in TSC patients at risk for ASD; Aim 2: To characterize the developmental precursors of ASD in a large number of TSC infants using a prospective multi-center design; Aim 3: To identify biomarkers with advanced DTI that help predict development of ASD in TSC infants; Aim 4: To identify biomarkers with qEEG that help predict development of ASD in TSC infants.
Unusual features and expected benefits: identify biomarkers that can predict the subset of TSC children who develop ASD; multi-center design; establishment of training and clinical research infrastructure through formal collaboration with local LEND programs at each participating center, which merges expertise in TSC and ASD to the benefit of both groups
Keyword(s):
autism, tuberous sclerosis, early markers
Core Function(s):
Performing Research or Evaluation
Area of Emphasis
Health-Related Activities
Target Audience:
Students/Trainees (long or intermediate trainees), Children/Adolescents with Disabilities/SHCN
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Limited English, Geographic Areas, Urban, Specific Groups
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
National
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
