# Familial risk for ASD alters connectivity in developing brain

> **NIH NIH P50** · YALE UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $156,379

## Abstract

Converging data suggest that autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a neurodevelopmental syndrome
characterized by deficits in attention, communication and social interaction, represents a disorder of
connectivity, in which the environment may interact with the genome. Recent studies address both
microstructural and functional connectivity in ASD populations ranging from preschool through young
adulthood and demonstrate both increases and reductions in connectivity in ASD subjects compared to age-
matched controls. The frontal, temporal and parietal regions are most affected, and longitudinal studies
suggest that ASD alters the trajectory of neural networks in the developing brain, but the systems involved and
the timing of these changes are just beginning to be explored.
 The recent explosive growth in high-resolution imaging now makes the entirety of the developing
human fetal brain accessible at the functional level at serial key developmental milestones during gestation, all
non-invasively and safe to mother and fetus. Our overarching goal is to identify early MR imaging biomarkers
of the impact of high familial risk for ASD on the dynamic functional development of the human fetal brain. Our
strategy is to employ advanced static and longitudinal regression and growth curve analyses to identify stress-
related changes in sophisticated MRI signals across the 3rd trimester of gestation and associate specific ASD
risk-related fetal brain changes to early neurobehavioral signs in neonates. These findings will inform specific
targets and timing of future neuroprotective strategies, advance clinical practices, and improve neurobehavioral
outcomes.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9999044
- **Project number:** 5P50MH115716-04
- **Recipient organization:** YALE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Laura R. Ment
- **Activity code:** P50 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $156,379
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-09-07 → 2022-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9999044

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9999044, Familial risk for ASD alters connectivity in developing brain (5P50MH115716-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9999044. Licensed CC0.

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