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Cognitive Mechanisms and Neural Predictors of Intellectual Development in Autism

Award Number: R01MH144705
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/15/2026
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 06/30/2031

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Cognitive Mechanisms and Neural Predictors of Intellectual Development in Autism - For autistic children, intellectual ability is one of the most salient predictors of long-term outcomes. But in early childhood, cognitive development is extremely variable, and approximately 80% of 2–3-year-old autistic children experience substantial developmental delays. We previously found that although these delays persist for some, about 40% of these autistic children exhibit meaningful gains such that by 6-8 years of age their intelligence quotient (IQ) scores are within the average range. In a concurrent MRI study, we found that differences in the default mode network at 3 years of age differentiated those with rapid cognitive growth from those with more stable delays, suggesting that early neurobiological signatures can predict later outcomes. The goal of this project, which builds upon our prior work, is to investigate how specific neurobiological and neuropsychological development early childhood drives overall cognitive outcomes. We propose to longitudinally assess 115 autistic children from 3-7.5 years of age at three time points across childhood. We will investigate three foundational domains that are impacted in autistic development: social attention, visual attention and executive control, and expressive language. Together, these domains form a core developmental foundation supporting and enabling cognitive growth, but their presentation and levels vary greatly among autistic children. We will also examine how these developmental processes are underpinned by neurobiological mechanisms that may serve as biomarkers to predict outcomes, elucidate neurodevelopmental drivers of cognitive change, and suggest potential targeted intervention strategies. Findings from this study will allow us to predict at age 3, which autistic children are likely to make substantial cognitive gains versus those more likely to experience persistent cognitive delays and intellectual disability diagnoses. These insights may guide more responsive planning and delivery of targeted interventions to help optimize long-term developmental outcomes.


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: 2026 ( Subtotal = $800,069 )
2026	2026	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS	1850 RESEARCH PARK DR STE 300	DAVIS	CA	95618	YOLO	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	1	9/17/2026	NEW	$800,069
														Subtotal = $800,069

Grand Total All Awards = $800,069

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Cognitive Mechanisms and Neural Predictors of Intellectual Development in Autism

Award Number: R01MH144705

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/15/2026

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 06/30/2031

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