This $148,423 project grant awarded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) under the Mental Health Research Grants program (CFDA 93.242) aims to clarify the sensory feedback and brain mechanisms associated with deficient control of fine and gross motor behaviors in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with and without intellectual disability (ID). The key objectives of the 5-year project are to: 1) assess how disruptions to visual and somatosensory feedback impact fine motor (precision gripping) and gross motor (postural control) behaviors in typically developing controls, ASD individuals, and ASD individuals with ID; 2) investigate the brain activity patterns, particularly within parietal-motor networks, that underlie these sensorimotor deficits; and 3) use machine learning to identify sensorimotor physiology biomarkers that predict clinical and cognitive traits in ASD. The project will involve behavioral, electrophysiological, and computational analyses of 40 participants in each of the three groups (TD, ASD, ASD+ID). Findings from this work aim to inform neurodevelopmental models of ASD and identify targets for interventions to improve outcomes for autistic individuals.
Mod # | Description | Reason For Modification | Federal Obligation (Click to sort descending) | Date (Click to sort ascending) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Not listed | $148.4k | 8/23/24 |