A twin study on autism

Using neuroimaging and behavioural data from twin cohorts, the researchers aim to gain a deeper understanding of how different symptoms in autism are connected. The results may contribute to developing earlier and more personalized support for young people with autism.

Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition, but it is also highly heterogeneous where individuals can differ greatly in both symptoms and everyday functioning.

Because of this variation, there is a pressing need for more effective, earlier, and more personalized forms of support for young people on the autism spectrum. To achieve this, a better understanding of how different symptoms relate to each other, and which combinations are associated with reduced functioning, lower quality of life, and poorer mental health.

Janina Neufeld aims to map these associations in the project; identify brain activity related to different symptom clusters, and examine genetic and environmental influences on these clusters.

Data from three different twin cohorts including one with neuroimaging data will be used to investigate: which autism symptoms are linked to each other and whether this is influenced by age, how the interactions between symptoms affect functioning, quality of life, and mental health in individuals with autism and in typically developing individuals, how clusters of symptoms relate to activity in brain networks as well as what the significance of genetic and environmental factors are for these identified clusters.

The results will deepen the understanding of the complex links between different autism symptoms, how these symptom clusters affect quality of life, functioning, and mental health, and how they are related to underlying neurobiology as well as genetic and environmental influences.

Furthermore, the results may help identify individuals with autism who need support earlier and contribute to the development of more individualized support based on each person’s specific profile of autism symptoms. Early interventions for individuals with autism are highly important for both the individual and society.