In recent years we awarded funding across a wide variety of topics in autism, that aim to result in scientific articles published in high quality peer reviewed journals. Below are only some of the projects we have funded in the last few years.
If you are a researcher in one of the Universities in Cambridgeshire and would like to apply for funds, please see here
Visit the Autism Research Centre's website for their most recent publications.
To add to our insights into the aetiology of autism, as well as providing potential avenues for earlier diagnosis and better treatments in cases of severe disability and comorbid conditions, researchers will use amniotic fluid samples from the Danish Biobank to study additional prenatal hormones and steroid metabolites in the foetal circulation, and investigate the concentrations of prenatal androgens. Read more
In this research, using data from the Swedish population registry, researchers will investigate if mothers of autistic children are more likely to work in STEM professions compared to other professions. Read more
This study will conduct the largest ever assessment of cardiovascular health in autism. Researchers will use the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) to access the GP records of thousands of individuals in the UK to compare the prevalence rates of cardiovascular conditions, as well as established risk factors, between autistic people, their mothers and controls. Read more
This study aims to examine the value of autism-friendly employment in tackling mental health challenges in autistic adults. Analysis of data on employment experiences will help identify effective reasonable adjustments that can be implemented in other workplace organisations. Read more
This study will translate the findings from the two previous vulnerability studies (Vulnerability in Mental Health and Vulnerability in schools: The National Pupil Database Study) into practice by writing policy guidelines for the UK Government’s relevant departments. Read more
Several psychological theories have attempted to explain why autistic individuals are predisposed to talent, but few studies have used neuroimaging to investigate common brain features that may underlie the exceptional cognitive capabilities characteristic of people with savant skills. This pilot study represents the first step in disentangling what the neuroanatomical and functional similarities and differences are. Read more
1000 genes and many genetic variants may cause autism, yet so far less than 100 genes and 5 common genetic variants have been linked to autism. By conducting a genome-wide association meta-anaylsis of autistic traits in the general population we hope to accelerate this genetic variant discovery to further our understanding of autism, and help improve diagnosis Read more
Researchers will use the National Pupil Database (NPD) and linked social care databases to examine vulnerability of children with recorded autism special educational needs (SEN) in comparison to children with other SEN and no SEN Read more
Tackling a sensitive but incredibly important topic, this research will look to inform us about possible reasonable adjustments that could be made in order that lawyers, judges and the court system conduct fair trials when autistic individuals are involved. Read more
In the first study of its kind in the UK, the Clinical Practice Research Database will be used to specifically investigate the association between cancer and autism in a UK population. Read more
This project comprises of three smaller studies looking at the levels of hormones alongside cognitive testing, physical measurements and scans, to understand what causes variation in autistic traits in the general population and why autism is more common in boys. Read more
The use of oxytocin as an aid to help autistic people in social situations is not fully tested. This study will inform any decision as to whether it should be made widely available to autistic adults. Read more
This project looks to fill the gaps in our knowledge about the role of the Neurexin 1 gene in autism using induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology. Read more
This project will test if specific sex steroid hormones are associated with autistic spectrum conditions, which will help our understanding of the causes of autism and may lead to ways to earlier diagnose autism in children. Read more
We're looking to develop a antenatal test for autism that would enable early detection, early monitoring and early intervention. Read more
We are excited to fund the development of an online course to help parents and carers help autistic children to learn to speak. Read more
This study will look at effects of hormones on autism-associated genes, and enable the discovery of novel genes that might play a greater role to contribute to the phenotype of the condition. Read more
The research aims to get a broad but detailed representation of types of vulnerability experienced by autistic children and adults, and documate those that may be risk factors for developing anxiety and depression. Read more
This project is developing an understanding of how autistic people process unpredictability and will have benefits in both clinical and educational settings. Read more
Using a highly experimental area of science - Induced pluripotent stem cells grown into cortical neurons - we'll learn about the mechanisms of atypical neuronal wiring and the pathophysiology of autism. Read more
Our researchers are scanning autistic women who are pregnant, to understand why that child has an increased chance of developing autism compared to a child of a parent without autism. Read more
Although we know there are genetic factors in autism, nature of the condition has made it challenging to identify the exact genes associated with autism. This project will look further at some genes through 'deep sequencing'. Read more
The Cambridge Autism Research Database contains behavioural and cognitive data from more than 25,000 people worldwide, enabling researchers at the ARC, and other institutions, to recruit volunteers. Read more
The Autism Research Trust is pleased to provide annual travel grants to researchers at the ARC to attend the most important annual autism conference organised by the International Society for Autism Research. Read more