Projects

Current Projects | Archived Projects
There are 5 current projects in the NDRC.

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Functional Neuroimaging of Psychopharmacologic Treatment for Autism

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Principal Investigator(s)
Gabriel Dichter

Funding Agency
NIH/Dana Foundation

Project Duration
07/01/2007 to 06/30/2010

Project Email
webmaster@mail.fpg.unc.edu

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Neuroimaging techniques may provide insights into dysfunctional brain circuits in autism as well as clues for developing new treatments for this
disorder. The purpose of this proposal is to use state-of-the-art brain imaging methods to study the frontostriatal effects of a well-tolerated and
commonly prescribed medication in high-functioning adults with autism. The ultimate goal of this program of research is to characterize relations between brain functioning and symptom expression in autism as well as to
provide a framework for future research aimed at developing novel and rational approaches to treatment. To date, there is no research that has
used brain imaging technology to study how medications reduce symptoms in autism. This omission is notable because brain imaging techniques are well-suited to studying changes in brain functioning following treatment. Adults with high functioning autism or Asperger's disorder will receive a psychopharmacologic intervention and will complete an fMRI task designed to recruit frontostriatal brain regions pre- and post-treatment. Brain imaging will be conducted at the Duke-UNC Brain Imaging and Analysis Center (BIAC). We hypothesize that psychopharmacologic intervention will reduce symptoms and enhance neural activation in relevant frontostriatal brain regions in
individuals with autism.