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RECRUITING
NCT07738003

Perinatal Autism Genetics and Epigenetics Study

Sponsor: University of Iowa

View on ClinicalTrials.gov

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

GENETIC

Change in child's DNA methylation

DNA methylation in pre-specified regions will be compared between birth, 24 and 30 months.

BEHAVIORAL

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.

BEHAVIORAL

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.

GENETIC

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