SPARK

SPARK is a free online study with a simple mission: to speed up research and advance the understanding of autism. By building a community of tens of thousands of individuals with autism and their biological family members who provide behavioral and genetic data, SPARK will be the largest autism research study to date.

Participation in SPARK can be done entirely at home — register online here.

• Register online in 20–30 minutes
• Complete a few questionnaires
• Provide a saliva DNA sample using collection kits sent directly to your home
• Receive a gift card up to $50 for the individual with autism upon completion of registration process

Find out more about what’s involved on our SPARK page.

Questions? Contact Samantha Hunter at 573-882-6479 or huntersg@health.missouri.edu.

Validation of a Salivary miRNA Diagnostic Test for Autism Spectrum Disorder

The purpose of this study is to validate the ability of a salivary RNA panel (diagnostic test) to differentiate children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) from those with developmental delays. This study will help to further aid in diagnosing individuals with ASD.

• Eligibility requirements: Age 18-48 months with diagnosis of ASD or developmental delay
• Time required: 1-2 visits over the course of 12 months
• Location: Thompson Center
• Monetary compensation: Yes
• Contact: Kathy Hirst, 573-882-5643, hirstka@health.missouri.edu
• Research study directors: David Beversdorf, MD, Kristin Sohl, MD

AutismEYES

The purpose of this study is to validate the ability of a remote eye gaze tracker to differentiate children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to those with developmental delays. We will also be looking at how well eye gaze correlates with autism symptom severity and language ability.

• Eligibility: Age 2-17 years presenting for an evaluation of ASD.
• Time required: 1-3 visits over the course of 4 months
• Location: Thompson Center
• Compensation: Yes
• Contact: Nicole Takahashi, 573-489-7326, takahashin@health.missouri.edu
• Research study director: Kerri Nowell, PhD

REACH App Study

The purpose of this study is to test the effectiveness of an iPhone-based screening tool for identifying children with autism.

• Eligibility requirements: Age 12-36 months; diagnosis of ASD is not required
• Time required: 3 hours over the course of 1-2 visits
• Location: Thompson Center
• Monetary compensation: The study will pay $50 for participation plus an additional $50 if traveling more than 40 miles to Columbia.
• Contact: Amanda Moffitt Gunn, 573-884-4456, MoffittAJ@health.missouri.edu
• Research study director: Kerri Nowell, PhD
• For more information, visit: https://thompsoncenter.missouri.edu/autism-research/reach-app-study/

Clinical Trial for Irritability

The purpose of this study is to explore the effects of an investigational drug in reducing irritability in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

• Eligibility: Age 5-17 with diagnosis of ASD
• Time required: Up to 12 weeks
• Location: Thompson Center
• Compensation: Yes
• Contact: Kathy Hirst, 573-882-5643, hirstka@health.missouri.edu
• Research study directors: David Beversdorf, MD and Ben Black, MD

RECHARGE Sleep Study

The purpose of this study is to evaluate behavioral sleep treatment to reduce sleep difficulties in individuals with autism.

• Eligibility: Age 6-12 with a diagnosis of ASD with difficulty either falling asleep and/or staying asleep
• Time required: 4 behavioral therapy sessions and 4 bimonthly booster sessions over the course of 12 months
• Location: Thompson Center and Remote Visits
• Monetary Compensation: $100 at baseline, post-treatment, and 6-month follow-up, and $125 at 12-month follow-up
• Contact: Samantha Hunter, 573-882-6479, huntersg@health.missouri.edu
• Research study director: Christina McCrae, PhD

DS-DETERMINED Study

The purpose of this study is to develop better services for people with Down syndrome (DS) to manage their health.

• Eligibility: Age 13+ with a diagnosis of Down Syndrome
• Time required: 1 hour
• Location: Online surveys
• Monetary Compensation: $40
• Contact: Hannah Cottrell, 573-884-5175, cottrellh@health.missouri.edu
• Research study directors: Ben Black, MD and Tracy Stroud, DO