# Links between the neonatal connectome and dimensions of social development

> **NIH NIH R01** · YALE UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $834,894

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
Functional brain network characteristics reflect both genetic and environmental influences on brain
development during fetal and postnatal periods. Alterations in network characteristics signal the presence of
pathogenic factors and their potential mechanisms of action, which is crucial for the identification of processes
that enhance risk for future onset of behavioral symptoms. Considering that autism features are distributed in
the general population and are enriched in children with family members diagnosed with autism, the present
study examines links between neonatal connectome and later social outcomes in a large sample of infants with
and without familial history of autism (FHA). The outcomes of interest are (a) social attention which represents
one of the most robust biomarkers reported in infants, toddlers, and school-aged children with autism, and (b)
social engagement skills which represent a core feature associated with autism in toddlers. Towards these
aims, we propose to examine prospective associations between iFC and later social phenotypic outcomes in a
prospective sample of infants with (N=140) and without (N=60) FHA. By combining the two groups and
adopting a dimensional approach to outcome measures, we aim to capture both the clinical and the subclinical
variation in symptoms, which is critical for understanding the link between altered brain development and
psychopathology. Brain imaging data will be collected at 42-44 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA); selective
social attention measures will be collected at 6 and 18 months, and social engagement measure will be
collected at 18 months. Social attention will be quantified using the Selective Social Attention (SSA) 2.0 eye-
tracking task developed and validated in our lab. A composite social engagement score will be computed
based on direct observation and parent report using standardized assessment tools: ADOS-2 and ADI-R. Aims
1 and 2 will focus on examining prospective links between inter- and intra-network iFC of the SN, DMN, FPN,
and amygdala networks and later social attentional and social engagement outcomes. To complement the
hypotheses-driven Aims, in Aim 3 we will conduct a data-driven whole brain analysis. This study will identify
the characteristics of the neonatal connectome linked prospectively with behavioral dimensions known to be
affected in autism, creating potential for improving identification of early brain-based risk factors and
implementation of early interventions to support social attention and engagement in infancy and early
childhood.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10953097
- **Project number:** 1R01MH137609-01
- **Recipient organization:** YALE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** KATARZYNA CHAWARSKA
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $834,894
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-08-19 → 2029-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10953097

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10953097, Links between the neonatal connectome and dimensions of social development (1R01MH137609-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10953097. Licensed CC0.

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