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Perinatal Autism Genetics and Epigenetics Study
Sponsor: University of Iowa
Summary
The University of Iowa's Center for Disabilities and Development is researching how pregnancy, early childhood experiences, and genetic factors influence child development, with a focus on autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Pregnant women are invited to participate in a study that tracks their pregnancy and child's early development, through simple, at-home activities using a cell phone. Participants complete short questionnaires, join an online interview, and videotape their baby's play after birth. They are also sent a kit to swab their baby's mouth to collect cheek cells for genetic testing. The study will explore whether stress and early social experience lead to genetic changes associated with autism or other developmental conditions.
Official title: Perinatal Experience and Epigenetic Change in Autism: Discovering Modifiable Pathways for Intervention
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
0 Years - 50 Years
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
7200
Start Date
2026-05-12
Completion Date
2030-05
Last Updated
2026-08-03
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Interventions
Change in child's DNA methylation
DNA methylation in pre-specified regions will be compared between birth, 24 and 30 months.
Perinatal stress
Perinatal stress will be measured using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14), Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), General Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), Social Provisions Scale (SPS-10), and ecological momentary assessments of stress, anxiety and sadness.
Early social experience
The child's early social experience will be measured directly using videotaped mother-child interaction coded using the CARE-Index, and indirectly using the Adult Attachment Interview.
Polygenic risk scores for social communication and repetitive behavior
Genomic data will be used to calculate polygenic risk scores for social communication and repetitive behavior.
Locations (1)
Center fro Disabilities and Development
Iowa City, Iowa, United States