To see most recent research click here. Key Research Areas funded by ART are:

Neuroscience: There is mounting evidence that autism spectrum conditions involve differences in brain function and development. The ART is looking to fund a range of technologies to study these differences, including neuroimaging and neurochemistry.

Genetics: The ART fund will fund both family and molecular genetic studies of autism spectrum conditions. Family studies involve measuring broader phenotype in first and second degree relatives as well as twin studies. Molecular genetic studies test genes and do genome scans. 

screening and diagnosis: Early detection of Autism and Asperger Syndrome assists in early intervention and therefore improved prognosis. These are assumptions that are still being tested. The ART will look to fund research into detection methodologies and assisting in late diagnosis of previously undiagnosed adults with Asperger’s Syndrome.

Intervention: Currently, treatments and interventions being evaluated by research institutions are psychological and range from specialised software to different therapies. The evaluation of such treatments will be an important part of the ART funding.

perception and Cognition: Between the brain and behaviour lies cognition – the way in which information is processed. Cognitive differences are evident in autism spectrum conditions leading to deficits or talents. Research into the underlying drivers and causes of such cognitive differences will be a key area of research.

hormones: The ART is keen to fund more research into the role that hormones might play in autism, particularly the sex hormones as a possible mechanism involved in understanding the different risk to males and females.

The ART will predominantly, although not exclusively, fund research by the Autism Research Centre in Cambridge. For the latest newsletter from the ARC please click here