Official websites use .gov

A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock ( 🔒 ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Need Help

Neonatal autonomic nervous system dysfunction as a predictor of autism spectrum disorder in preterm infants

Award Number: RF1MH138028
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 04/15/2025
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 03/31/2030

Group Awards By:

View Award Description

Neonatal autonomic nervous system dysfunction as a predictor of autism spectrum disorder in preterm infants - Project Summary/Abstract Autonomic nervous system (ANS) development begins in the prenatal period and is critical for a successful transition to extrauterine life. ANS supports vital functions, like cardiac activity and thermal regulation, as well as higher-level cortical processes from birth through adulthood. Adverse neonatal conditions can impair or alter ANS function and ANS dysfunction has been associated with several neurodevelopmental impairments (NDIs), including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The rate of ASD in infants born preterm is more than triple that of the general population, with reports of a 10-fold increase for very preterm (VPT) infants. Yet, the etiological link between preterm birth and the development of ASD remains unknown. The goals of this prospective, longitudinal study are 1) to evaluate preterm ANS dysfunction as an ASD-specific etiological mechanism in VPT infants, using complementary measures of heart rate and thermal gradients 2) to examine whether and how neonatal morbidities (severe brain injury, infection, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, retinopathy of prematurity) moderate the association between ANS dysfunction and ASD/NDI outcomes and 3) to comprehensively document emerging ASD and NDI features across the first three years of life for VPT infants, who are at increased likelihood for both ASD and NDI. This study will quantify ANS dysfunction for VPT infants across the NICU hospitalization to compare with the emergence of ASD-specific and NDI features across the first three years (months 12, 24, 36). Identification of infants who are at heightened developmental risk prior to NICU discharge is essential to guide very early intervention efforts and improve childhood 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 = $2,651,315 )
2026	2026	UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA	1600 HAMPTON ST	COLUMBIA	SC	29208	RICHLAND	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	2	5/1/2026	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	$2,651,315
														Subtotal = $2,651,315

Grand Total All Awards = $2,651,315

Top

All Categories

About

Search

Reports

Data Submission

Award Information

Neonatal autonomic nervous system dysfunction as a predictor of autism spectrum disorder in preterm infants

Award Number: RF1MH138028

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

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

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 04/15/2025

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 03/31/2030

Federal Websites

Department of Health & Human Services

HHS Operating Divisions

HHS Staff Divisions

Download A Document Viewer