Specifically, our aims are:
1) To clarify the nature of information-processing abnormalities in 22q-ASD, using a comprehensive cognitive battery and functional MRI paradigm of emotion-processing, and to determine the relationship of these functional measures to brain structural anomalies
2) To elucidate the neural bases of cognitive and quantitative behavioral traits associated with
the autism phenotype. Who may be able to participate?
* Your child is between the ages of 6-30
* Your child has a confirmed diagnosis of 22q11.2 deletion, via FISH test
* Your child has not been diagnosed with a disorder of the brain or nervous system (such as epilepsy, encephalitis, brain tumor, etc.)
* Your child does not use drugs or abuse alcohol
* Your child is able to complete the study measures and interviews in English. Controls:
* Healthy child between the ages of 6-22
Involvement:
Baseline participation may take between one to two days (~7 hours for all study procedures). Participants will be given paper and pencil and computer tests of memory, attention and logic, and interviews about their mood, thoughts and behaviors by a trained staff member at the UCLA Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, and an MRI scan at UCLA's Brain Research Institute. The study also involves a review of medical records, to get information about birth and medical history, and an optional blood or saliva sample. Some of the study procedures will be repeated at 2 follow-up timepoints. All procedures will be explained carefully and all participation is completely VOLUNTARY. You may withdraw from the study at any time. There is no financial obligation on the part of the participant. Benefits:
Participants will be compensated up to $260 for full participation in all of the study visits. If after the initial evaluation it is determined that you are not eligible for the study you will be compensated $20 for your time. There are minimal risks involved with participating in this study. Contact details:
310-825-3458
[email protected]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3197829/pdf/nihms1816.pdf
We will compare children with 22qDS with and without autistic spectrum diagnoses, using novel brain imaging methods.
