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Science in Your Area

Autism Speaks has funded over $1,239,289 in research grants in the state of Missouri. 
Funded studies include work done at:

  • University of Missouri 
  • University of Missouri -Columbia
  • University of Missouri & Children's Mercy Hospital 
  • Washington University
  • Washington University, School of Medicine
  • Children's Mercy Hospitals & Clinics

Participate in local research at Washington University School of Medicine:

Autism Treatment Network Site: University of Missouri - Columbia/Thompson Center (Columbia, MO)  Paula Slusher Phone:  573-884-8121


Clinical Trials Network:  To learn more about the network or ongoing trials:  www.autismspeaks.org/ctn and www.clinicaltrials.gov

Spotlight on Pilot Awards:

Shawn Christ, Ph.D.
University of Missouri-Columbia
$120,000 for 2 years

The neural correlates of transient and sustained executive control in children with autism spectrum disorder

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) will be used to visualize regional brain activities in 40 high-functioning adolescents with ASD and an age-matched control group during their performance of an executive control task. The resulting data will be used to determine whether the impairments experienced by individuals with ASD are characterized by brain activity typical of a failure to maintain an appropriate overall approach to the task at hand, or a failure of moment-by-moment implementation of executive control. As well, brain regions demonstrating abnormal activation in ASD individuals during executive control tasks will be further examined for atypical structure and connectivity to other parts of the brain.

Thomas Conturo, M.D.Ph.D.
Washington University School of Medicine
$119,963 for 2 years

Analysis of brain microstructure in autism using novel diffusion MRI approaches

In the present study, Dr. Conturo and colleagues will develop new diffusion MRI techniques which will allow them to examine the microscopic structure of white matter tracts. They will combine existing diffusion MRI methods with novel computational approaches aimed at determining the cellular basis of white matter abnormalities, and apply these new methods to examining the brains of individuals with autism.

This research may help to define the underlying cellular disturbances which result in abnormal white matter tracts in autism, as well as provide new diagnostic tools for neurodevelopmental disorders.

Click here for a full listing of Pilot Awards

Did you Know....Autism Speaks sponsored the first of its kind Immunology Workshop which evaluated the current of knowledge about the potential role of immunological factors in the pathogenesis of autism, and to outlined critical areas of future research to clarify the relationship of such factors to autism and investigate their potential relevance for therapeutic interventions. 

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