The Cambridge-Edinburgh Human Imaging and Longitudinal Development (CHILD) study.
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Cambridge
Department Name: Psychiatry
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterised by challenges in social communication and interaction, and restricted, repetitive behaviours and interests. Recently, studies have sought to identify early risk factors for the development of ASD. ASD is generally diagnosed around 3 years of age, so researchers have investigated early symptoms in infants at increased risk of developing ASD such as siblings of children who already have a diagnosis of ASD. Research has indicated differences in brain development between those children who go on to develop ASD and those who do not at 6 months of age. However, studies have not yet examined development before birth and how this relates to brain development shortly after birth and behavioural development throughout the first few years of life.
The study aims to explore relationships between brain development before and shortly after birth and later ASD characteristics in children with an increased likelihood of developing ASD. A total of 60 children will be recruited: 30 children who are at increased risk of developing ASD because their mothers have ASD and a control group of 30 children with typically developing mothers. Children will undergo MRI scanning before birth (at around 30 weeks of pregnancy) in order to gather data on brain structure and function and will then be followed up at 4 time points: between 0-3 months old, at 6 months old, at 12-18 months and at 24-36 months old. At the 0-3 month follow up, MRI data will be collected again. Questionnaire measures assessing various aspects of development will be administered at each follow up assessment. Measures of behaviour related to autism will be collected at the 6 month and 24-36 month assessments via 'gaze tracking' experiments which will map the development of infant response to social and non-social stimuli. Diagnostic assessments for ASD will be administered at the final 24-36 month follow-up. Brain structure and function prior to birth and shortly after birth will be compared between the groups and neural predictors of later autistic traits will be investigated in order to identify early markers that may be predictive of risk for autism.
The study aims to explore relationships between brain development before and shortly after birth and later ASD characteristics in children with an increased likelihood of developing ASD. A total of 60 children will be recruited: 30 children who are at increased risk of developing ASD because their mothers have ASD and a control group of 30 children with typically developing mothers. Children will undergo MRI scanning before birth (at around 30 weeks of pregnancy) in order to gather data on brain structure and function and will then be followed up at 4 time points: between 0-3 months old, at 6 months old, at 12-18 months and at 24-36 months old. At the 0-3 month follow up, MRI data will be collected again. Questionnaire measures assessing various aspects of development will be administered at each follow up assessment. Measures of behaviour related to autism will be collected at the 6 month and 24-36 month assessments via 'gaze tracking' experiments which will map the development of infant response to social and non-social stimuli. Diagnostic assessments for ASD will be administered at the final 24-36 month follow-up. Brain structure and function prior to birth and shortly after birth will be compared between the groups and neural predictors of later autistic traits will be investigated in order to identify early markers that may be predictive of risk for autism.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
Simon Baron-Cohen (Primary Supervisor) | |
Sarah Hampton (Student) |
Studentship Projects
Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
MR/N013433/1 | 01/10/2016 | 30/04/2026 | |||
1802123 | Studentship | MR/N013433/1 | 01/10/2016 | 31/03/2020 | Sarah Hampton |
Description | INSAR conference poster presentation |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | I presented a poster at the International Society for Autism Research (INSAR) conference. INSAR is the world's largest conference focusing on autism research. The poster presented the results of studies concerning the pregnancy and childbirth experiences of people with autism. Much interest was shown in the poster during the presentation and the poster also subsequently received interest from relevant professionals (e.g. midwives and health visitors) through social media such as twitter. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Spectrum News Article |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | My supervisor and I wrote an article for Spectrum News, a leading online provider of news relating to autism research and practice. The article covers the theoretical foundations and potential benefits of our research into pregnant women and mothers with autism. We aimed to increase awareness of this important but under-researched topic among those with an interest in autism. Following the publication of the article, we have received interest in the study from those wishing to participate and from those wishing to be kept informed of the study's progress. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
URL | https://www.spectrumnews.org/opinion/viewpoint/studying-pregnant-women-autism-may-offer-clues-condit... |
Description | Talk at the INSAR conference in Chile |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | A talk was given at the regional INSAR conference in Chile in October 2019. The talk concerned the impact of maternal prenatal mental health on fetal and infant brain development. The talk allowed for these findings to be disseminated beyond the typical UK/USA audience and to connect with clinicians and families in South America. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Talk at the psychiatry symposium |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | I gave two talks (2017 and 2018) at an annual symposium at the psychiatry department at Cambridge University. The symposium gives postgraduates students the opportunity to present their research to other students and senior academics, and to receive feedback. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017,2018 |