Individuals who have very high cognitive and intellectual ability coupled with a diagnosis of autism are known as twice exceptional (2e). In partnership with the SFARI-funded SPARK initiative, Jacob Michaelson will recruit a cohort of 2e individuals with autism and collect genetic and neuroimaging data on these individuals in order to better understand the neurobiology of this underserved population.
Caroline Robertson’s laboratory aims to develop a neurophysiological marker of autism that reflects reductions in GABAergic action in the autistic brain. Such a marker will help shed light on the neurobiology of autism and aid in the development of pharmacological interventions.
The genotypic and phenotypic heterogeneity in ASD has made research in ASD, including the development of novel treatments, challenging. Charles Bailey will test the feasibility of bringing together existing streams of data from the SPARK registry and from PEDSnet, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) database, to further the depth and breadth of information available for study of ASD. The study will focus on SPARK registry members with CHOP identified as their health care provider and will examine existing CHOP electronic health records for these individuals.
Declan Murphy and Will Spooren will lead the Autism Innovative Medicine Studies-2-Trials (AIMS-2-Trials), a large-scale collaborative research project that involves 48 partners across 14 countries. The study aims to develop a better understanding of the biological bases of ASD, develop biomarkers and testing potential drug treatments of the disorder.