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Emotion processing and risk for anxiety and depression in autistic adults

Award Number: K01MH129622
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: TRAINING/TRAINEESHIP
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/08/2022
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2027

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Emotion processing and risk for anxiety and depression in autistic adults - Research Project Long-Term Objectives: Characterize phenotypic & brain factors related to co-occurring depression & anxiety in adults with autism spectrum disorder [ASD] without intellectual disability, with a focus on an understudied population that is at elevated risk for these conditions: ASD biological females. Results will inform biomarker identification for comorbid depression & anxiety in ASD. Overall research design: 3 samples of ASD young adults (18-30y) will be examined. All samples share phenotyping measures; 2 samples have a common magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] protocol: i) ASD biological males and ASD biological females will undergo phenotyping & MRI; ii) ASD biological males and ASD biological females will undergo phenotyping and ecological momentary assessment [EMA]; iii) existing phenotyping & MRI dataset that of ASD biological males and ASD biological females. Aim 1: Delineate impacts of emotion identification/awareness (alexithymia) & emotion regulation [ER] on depression & anxiety, and role of biological sex in these impacts. Methods: multi-level modeling of EMA-collected depressive/anxious symptoms will examine alexithymia as a cognitive factor in depression/anxiety, and its association with ER. Aim 2: Delineate brain networks associated with alexithymia & impacts on depression/anxiety/ER. Methods: regression modeling will relate structural & functional MRI brain connectivity metrics to alexithymia, ER & depression & anxiety. Health Relatedness: ASD adults experience depression & anxiety at elevated rates, and relatedly, ASD adults show alarmingly elevated levels of suicidality. There is no good understanding of why this is, and relatively little research on mechanisms—including cognitive and neural factors—that predispose ASD adults to these serious mental health conditions. This project thus seeks to idenfity potential mechanisms of elevated risk and advance solution-oriented approaches in health disparities research of autistic adults. Candidate’s Career Goals & Development Plan: Dr. McQuaid’s long-term goal is to become an independent investigator with a research program focused on ASD in adulthood and factors relevant to improving mental health in this population. Her short-term goals are to characterize brain & behavioral/cognitive factors that predict increased vulnerability for depression & anxiety in ASD. Building on her multidisciplinary background, Dr. McQuaid will receive training in 1) ASD & measurement of mood/anxiety in ASD; 2) EMA & computing skills; 3) professional development & open science practices to support and further her commitment to replicable, reproducible and generalizable research. Environment: Dr. McQuaid is supported by a cohesive team of expert scientists with overlapping & complementary research programs. They will provide an intensive, focused, & seamless mentorship experience, and their expertise & institutional affiliations will provide Dr. McQuaid with the guidance & resources to achieve the research aims & training goals. Taken together, the research & training, mentor team, & environment afforded by the K01 will serve as a bridge that will successfully transition Dr. McQuaid from her current position to that of an independent investigator.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $157,301 )
2025	2025	GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY	4400 UNIVERSITY DR	FAIRFAX	VA	22030	FAIRFAX CITY	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	4	7/31/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$157,301
														Subtotal = $157,301

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $157,838 )
2024	2024	GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY	4400 UNIVERSITY DR	FAIRFAX	VA	22030	FAIRFAX CITY	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	3	8/20/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$157,838
														Subtotal = $157,838

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $158,357 )
2023	2023	GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY	4400 UNIVERSITY DR	FAIRFAX	VA	22030	FAIRFAX CITY	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	2	8/17/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$158,357
														Subtotal = $158,357

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $158,856 )
2022	2022	GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY	4400 UNIVERSITY DR	FAIRFAX	VA	22030	FAIRFAX CITY	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	1	9/8/2022	NEW	$158,856
														Subtotal = $158,856

Grand Total All Awards = $632,352

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Emotion processing and risk for anxiety and depression in autistic adults

Award Number: K01MH129622

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: TRAINING/TRAINEESHIP

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/08/2022

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2027

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