# Brain Signal Variability as a Novel Marker of Flexible Cognition in Autism

> **NIH NIH R03** · UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI CORAL GABLES · 2020 · $75,250

## Abstract

Project Summary
The prevalance rate of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is currently 1 out of 59 individuals (CDC, 2018).
The current research proposal aims to introduce a new approach for characterization of ASD
neurobiology inspired by computational neuroscience that relies on measures of brain signal variability.
Previous research in typical individuals has shown that increased brain signal variability is more
prevelant in younger individuals and those who perform better on tasks of flexible cognition. This makes
brain signal variability a promising new measure of development and flexible cognition that can be used
to investigate the neurobiology of ASD and associated inflexible behaviors that characterize the
disorder (i.e., restrictive and repetitive behaviors). The current study will have two major goals: 1)
identify differences in brain signal variability across development between individuals with and without a
diagnosis of ASD, and 2) identify relationships between brain signal variability and restricted and
repetitive behaviors in individuals with a diagnosis of ASD using a categorical approach, and in
individuals with and without a diagnosis of ASD using a dimensional approach. This proposal aims to
further the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee’s strategic plan of understanding the neural
circuitry underlying brain function in ASD. The results will help to create more sophisticated models of
ASD neurobiology that incorporate multiple imaging measures of brain function. In turn, more
sophisticated models of ASD neurobiology will help to guide and assess behavioral interventions aimed
at improving the quality of life of individuals diagnosed with ASD.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10017363
- **Project number:** 5R03MH121668-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI CORAL GABLES
- **Principal Investigator:** Jason Scott Nomi
- **Activity code:** R03 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $75,250
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-09-12 → 2021-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10017363

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10017363, Brain Signal Variability as a Novel Marker of Flexible Cognition in Autism (5R03MH121668-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10017363. Licensed CC0.

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