The Autism Phenome Project: Toward Identifying Clinically Meaningful Subgroups of Autism

Christine Wu Nordahl, Derek Sayre Andrews, Patrick Dwyer, Einat Waizbard-Bartov, Bibiana Restrepo, Joshua K. Lee, Brianna Heath, Clifford Saron, Susan M. Rivera, Marjorie Solomon, Paul Ashwood, David G. Amaral

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

21 Scopus citations

Abstract

One of the most universally accepted facts about autism is that it is heterogenous. Individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder have a wide range of behavioral presentations and a variety of co-occurring medical and mental health conditions. The identification of more homogenous subgroups is likely to lead to a better understanding of etiologies as well as more targeted interventions and treatments. In 2006, we initiated the UC Davis MIND Institute Autism Phenome Project (APP) with the overarching goal of identifying clinically meaningful subtypes of autism. This ongoing longitudinal multidisciplinary study now includes over 400 children and involves comprehensive medical, behavioral, and neuroimaging assessments from early childhood through adolescence (2–19 years of age). We have employed several strategies to identify sub-populations within autistic individuals: subgrouping by neural, biological, behavioral or clinical characteristics as well as by developmental trajectories. In this Mini Review, we summarize findings to date from the APP cohort and describe progress made toward identifying meaningful subgroups of autism.

Original languageEnglish
Article number786220
JournalFrontiers in Neuroscience
Volume15
DOIs
StatePublished - 2021
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2022 Nordahl, Andrews, Dwyer, Waizbard-Bartov, Restrepo, Lee, Heath, Saron, Rivera, Solomon, Ashwood and Amaral.

Funding

This work was supported by the National Institute of Mental Health (Grant Nos. R01MH104438 to CWN, R01MH103284 to MS, and R01MH103371 to DGA), UC Davis MIND Institute Autism Center of Excellence (Grant No. P50HD093079 to DGA), and the MIND Institute Autism Research Training Program (Grant No. T32MH073124 to DSA). JL was also supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the This work was supported by the National Institute of Mental Health (Grant Nos. R01MH104438 to CWN, R01MH103284 to MS, and R01MH103371 to DGA), UC Davis MIND Institute Autism Center of Excellence (Grant No. P50HD093079 to DGA), and the MIND Institute Autism Research Training Program (Grant No. T32MH073124 to DSA). JL was also supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under the Autism Intervention Research Network on Physical Health (AIR−P) (Grant No. UT2MC39440). The information, content and/or conclusions are those of the authors and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the United States Government.

FundersFunder number
MIND Institute Autism Research Training ProgramT32MH073124
UC Davis MIND Institute Autism Center of ExcellenceP50HD093079
U.S. Department of Health and Human ServicesUT2MC39440
National Institute of Mental HealthR01MH103371, R01MH104438, R01MH103284
Health Resources and Services Administration

    Keywords

    • ERP
    • MRI
    • autism
    • development
    • females
    • gastrointestinal
    • heterogeneity
    • immune

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'The Autism Phenome Project: Toward Identifying Clinically Meaningful Subgroups of Autism'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this