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The Autism Research Centre (ARC) has six major reseach programmes:
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Perception and Cognition
The ARC pioneered psychological research into autism spectrum conditions, developing experimental methods to study difficulties in empathy and strengths in systemizing and attention to detail. Methods used in this program include computerized testing, gaze-tracking, galvanic skin response (GSR), observational coding, and sensory threshold tests.
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Screening and Diagnosis
The ARC was the first to develop early screening methods to detect autism at 18 months of age, and test these at a population level, and has gone on to develop related instruments for screening of autism and Asperger Syndrome in childhood, adolescence, and adulthood.
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Intervention
The ARC has developed new educational software for teaching emotion recognition from age 4-adulthood (the Mindreading DVD), and a new children's animation for teaching this skill to preschool age children on the autistic spectrum (The Transporters DVD). Both of these have been carefully evaluated to measure their benefits in comparison to matched control groups. We are also evaluating other interventions that promote empathy by harnessing the strengths in systemizing, such as Lego Therapy.
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Hormones
The ARC has undertaken a unique longitudinal study of the role of foetal testosterone (FT) in child development by studying children whose mothers had amniocentesis during pregnancy. We are now studying if FT plays a role in the risk of developing autism or Asperger Syndrome itself. We are also looking at medical syndromes where FT is abormally high or low, and looking at current testosterone and oestrogen in people with a diagnosis on the autistic spectrum.
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Genetics and Proteomics
Autism and Asperger Syndrome are strongly heritable conditions. Whereas most genetics research in this field has used the method of linkage studies, the ARC has pursued association studies of both candidate genes and using genome-wide scans. And whereas most genetics research has focused on classic autism, the ARC has focused on Asperger Syndrome. Our behavioral genetic studies have found an association between strong systemizing (e.g., in fields like mathematics) and number of autistic traits, so we are also pursuing genetic association studies of mathematical ability. Genetic associations are followed up through expression studies.
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Neuroscience
A wealth of research now establishes that autism spectrum conditions involve altered brain development and functioning. We are studying this using a range of methods including MRI (both structural and functional), ERP, DTI, TMS, developmental neurobiology, and neuropathology.
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