Current Studies

ACE Studies
New studies are added continuously.

I.   Development of Categorization & Facial Knowledge in Low & High Functioning Autism

The purpose of the infant sibling project is to understand the development of the face and object processing, communication, and motor skills in infants who may be at heightened risk for autism because they have an older sibling with autism. This project is studying infants beginning at 6 months.

The other part of this research is looking at how autism impacts the ability of individuals to process cognitive information. More specifically, this project is studying how individuals with high-functioning autism learn about the world, including their knowledge of objects, categories, and people. This project is studying children and adults.

II.   Disturbances of Affective Contact: Development of Brain Mechanisms for Emotion Processing
This is a research study to help understand how the brain processes emotions. We will use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to take pictures of the brain while the participant is thinking. We will use an eye-tracking device to better understand how people perceive, understand, experience, and express emotions. In addition, we want to find out how well people are able to use emotion to make decisions and social judgments. This project is studying children and adults.

III.   Systems Connectivity & Brain Activation: Imaging Studies of Language & Perception
This study will be using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to study brain structure and function in autism. The participant will be asked to do activities such as looking at pictures and reading short stories while in the MRI machine. This project is studying adults.

CPEA Studies

I.   FINDING THE COGNITIVE AND BRAIN BASIS OF AUTISM
In this study, we want to know how people with autism think and how their brain works. Individuals with High Functioning Autism and Asperger's Syndrome with an IQ between 80 and 120 are needed to participate in computer testing, paper-and-pencil testing, brain imaging, and eye movement tests; donation of blood sample is optional. This study has ended, please check back for an update on results from the study.

II.   FINDING THE GENES FOR AUTISM
This is a national study described in USA Today (article - Science getting to roots of autism) on January 12, 2004 that provides the maximal chance of finding the genes for autism. The purpose is to investigate the genetic basis of autism by determining the chromosomal location of autism susceptibility gene(s). Families with two or more children older than 2.5 years of age with an Autism Spectrum Disorder of any level of severity are needed to participate in a diagnostic interview, family history interview, and donation of blood sample. These interviews can be conducted over the phone and blood can be drawn locally. Part 2 of this study involves researchers from the University of Washington coming to your town for paper-and-pencil testing. This study is currently still active.

III.   FAMILY STUDY
This study seeks to identify cognitive in family members that can be used to track the genes for autism. Parents younger than 55 years of age who have a child with autism over age 10 with an IQ between 80 and 120 and at least one other child 8 years of age and older are needed to participate in brief paper-and-pencil testing and computer tests. This study has ended, please check back for an update on results from the study.

IV.   LANGUAGE PROCESSING STUDY
In this study, we want to learn how adolescents and adults with autism understand and use language. Individuals will be given an IQ test screening tool, diagnostic assessments, and language tests that measure comprehension and language ability. Individuals between the ages of 15 to 45 years of age with High Functioning Autism or Asperger's Syndrome who have an IQ greater than 80 may be eligible. The total time commitment for the individual and his or her family is approximately five hours. This study has ended, please check back for an update on results from the study.