# Evaluating cerebrovascular reactivity in autistic and non-autistic children using resting-state functional MRI

> **NIH NIH F31** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS · 2024 · $41,972

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
 Many studies utilize resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) metrics, such as
functional connectivity (FC), to study the neural underpinnings of autism and identify functional brain networks
related to autistic behaviors. However, these findings remain inconsistent, with reports of underconnectivity and
overconnectivity in multiple resting-state networks. FC measures the temporal correlation between the blood
oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signal of distinct brain regions. In fMRI, the BOLD signal indirectly measures
neuronal activity by detecting changes in oxygenated blood flow, which occurs through local blood vessel
dilation. In addition to neuronal activity, changes in brain vascular function can affect local oxygenated blood
flow, and thus the BOLD signal within a region and FC between regions. Characterizing these cerebrovascular
effects on FC is critical to understanding neuronal and vascular sources of connectivity in populations with
potential cerebrovascular heterogeneity, such autism or early development. In this study, we utilize a novel, non-
invasive method to characterize cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR), the vasodilatory capacity of cerebral blood
vessels, in autistic and non-autistic children, based solely on rsfMRI BOLD signals (Aim 1). We then use this
novel information to investigate the mechanism linking vascular function to FC, using the amplitude of low
frequency fluctuations (ALFF), a resting-state measure of local BOLD amplitude that has been associated with
both neuronal and vascular physiology (Aim 2). Using data from the Autism Phenome Project (APP), a
longitudinal neuroimaging program that specializes in early age scanning (2-12 years old) in autistic and non-
autistic children, we will compare age-trajectories of CVR and its effect on FC in autistic and non-autistic children
starting from 2 years old. In acquiring and analyzing data from young autistic and non-autistic participants, I will
receive unique clinical and neuroimaging training, specifically in autism, to support my career as an independent
investigator, developing novel neuroimaging biomarkers to characterize cerebral physiology in autism.
Ultimately, providing insight into cerebrovascular differences and enhancing FC interpretations in autism, starting
from early age, will help disentangle its heterogeneity to inform meaningful, early interventions.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10996712
- **Project number:** 1F31HD116526-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS
- **Principal Investigator:** Quimby Lee
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $41,972
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-08-01 → 2026-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10996712

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10996712, Evaluating cerebrovascular reactivity in autistic and non-autistic children using resting-state functional MRI (1F31HD116526-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10996712. Licensed CC0.

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