Current Studies by MacART Members
The list below shows currently active, on-going research studies and projects being conducted by MacART members and our partners and collaborators.
Some of these studies are also looking for participants. That list of studies, along with who would be eligible to take part, can also be found on the ‘Recruiting Studies’ page.
2023 Pandemic Canadian Autism Needs Assessment Survey
Funded by:
Public Health Agency of Canada
Study Description:
This is an anonymous online survey for better understand the evolving impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Autistic Canadians and the services they access. The survey has three aims: (1) to better understand the evolving impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Autistic adults and caregivers of Autistic children of any age in Canada; (2) to assess the evolving experiences of Autistics and of caregivers of Autistic children in Canada regarding Autism-related supports and services in the current context of the COVID-19 pandemic, and (3) to inform community organizations and policy makers of current needs reported by the Autism community across Canada.
Approximate Study Period:
October 2023 – May 2024
Eligibility Information:
Eligibility criteria: Autistic adults (18+ years old), or caregivers of Autistic children of any age, or people who are both an Autistic adult (18+ years old) and the primary family caregiver of an Autistic child of any age. Survey takers must be living in Canada.
If you want more info: See more information here in English or French. FAQs are also available in English or French.
If you want to answer the survey: The survey is currently open, scheduled to close on November 13, 2023. To access the survey directly, click THIS LINK.
The co-development and pilot evaluation of the Siblings Training, Empowerment, and Advocacy Kit (Siblings TEAKit) to prepare young adult siblings of individuals with a disability for their current and future roles
Funded by:
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Fellowship: Patient-Oriented Research Awards – Transition to Leadership Stream – Phase I
Researchers:
Dr. Linda Nguyen, Dr. Jan Willem Gorter, Dr. Marjolijn Ketelaar, Dr. Jennifer Zwicker, Dr. Keiko Shikako
Study Description:
Our research study aims to create a toolkit together with siblings, families, and healthcare professionals that can help siblings have conversations with their family to prepare for their roles. Siblings of individuals with a disability have shared that they require sources to help them in their roles with their sibling with a disability. Participants will be asked to review and sign the consent form, complete a form about themselves, and look at examples of the toolkit before the focus group. They will then be asked to attend a 4-hour workshop by Zoom with activities to ask about the topics and information to include in the toolkit. Compensation is provided.
Approximate Study Period:
May 2023 – December 2023
The Pediatric Autism Research Cohort (PARC) Study
Funded by:
McMaster Children’s Hospital & McMaster University
Researchers:
Dr. Stelios Georgiades, Dr. Caroline Roncadin, Dr. Ronit Mesterman, Dr. Irene Drmic, and Colleagues.
Study Description:
This study is working to examine the factors that influence diversity in how Autism unfolds over time. The goals are to explore the factors contributing to the diverse pathways and outcomes in Autistic young children, to generate research evidence that can inform families and clinicians as they work together to develop more personalized intervention plans for Autistic children. The study will be recruiting newly-diagnosed Autistic children who are under 5 years old, and inviting their families to complete sets of online questionnaires every 6 months over the study period.
Approximate Study Period:
January 2021 – ongoing
More Information:
This is the full scale version of the PARC study (for more information, see this link).
Pathways to Better Developmental Health in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Funded by:
Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR)
Researchers:
Dr. Teresa Bennett, Dr. Eric Duku, Dr. Stelios Georgiades, Dr. Peter Szatmari, and Colleagues.
Study Description:
This longitudinal cohort study is investigating the development of the core symptoms and outcomes in Autistic children, which will provide essential information on their prognosis. The study will also lead to a better understanding of the factors associated with healthy outcomes in children with special needs and typically developing children. There is a focus on the critical period after diagnosis at 2 to 4 years of age, the transition into school, a time period during which there is wide variability in the development course of Autistic children, continuing as they grow and develop into their teen years. This study is currently in Phase III.
Approximate Study Period:
April 2005 – June 2023
More Information:
Strengthening the health system to support caregivers of children with Autism to engage in their child’s care
Funded by:
Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR)
Researchers:
Dr. Stephen Gentles and Colleagues.
Study Description:
This ongoing fellowship project involves a series of studies in partnership with Autism Ontario, and has two aims. First is a review of the literature using systematic methods to summarize what is known about the factors influencing parent involvement in their child’s care. Second is the development of a new measure of parents’ readiness and ability to meet these demands for involvement. Information for developing this measure will come from the literature review and from interviewing people on both sides—parents of Autistic children, and professionals that provide Autism services. The measure will then be tested to ensure it works well in a clinical setting. When ready, it will be made available, free of charge, for care providers across Canada to monitor and improve service delivery to families of Autistic children.
Approximate Study Period:
September 2019 – ongoing
A randomized placebo-controlled trial of ARBaclofen vs. placebo in the treatment of children and adolescents with ASD
Funded by:
Ontario Brain Institute, Brain Canada
Researchers:
Dr. Evdokia Anagnostou, Dr. Julia Frei, Dr. Olaf Kraus de Camargo, Dr. Robert Nicolson, and Colleagues.
Study Description:
The Province of Ontario Neurodevelopmental Disorders (POND) Network is researching genes, the brain, and behaviour to find potential treatments in Autism. We are currently investigating whether arbaclofen may help improve social functioning in Autistic children and teens. We are looking for Autistic children and teens between 5 and 17 years old with a diagnosis of Autism and able to tolerate bloodwork. This 18 week long study (9 visits) is comparing arbaclofen against placebo for improving social and global function, and communication. The most common side effects are sedation (tiredness) and upset stomach.
Approximate Study Period:
August 2019 – ongoing (closed to recruitment)
The Province of Ontario Neurodevelopmental Disorders (POND) Network
Funded by:
Ontario Brain Institute
Researchers:
Dr. Stelios Georgiades, Dr. Teresa Bennett, Dr. Jane Foster, Dr. Geoff Hall, Dr. Caroline Roncadin, Dr. Karun Singh, Dr. Noam Soreni, Dr. Peter Szatmari, Dr. Margaret Fahnestock, Dr. Julia Frei, Dr. Elisabetta Trinari, and Colleagues.
Study Description:
To accelerate the discovery of biomarkers that will enhance understanding of Autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and intellectual disability, Tourette Syndrome, Rett Syndrome, Fragile X Syndrome, and Down Syndrome. The project will also accelerate the translation of these discoveries into novel, effective and personalized treatments aimed at improving the lives of Autistic children and their families. Since its inception, 472 Autistic participants have had behavioural and cognitive assessments, imaging, and electrophysiology studies. More children and their families will be recruited in the future.
Approximate Study Period:
October 2011 – March 2023
More Information:
This study is currently recruiting. Please see the following PDFs for more information: POND Network Brochure; POND Network Flyer
Eligibility criteria: Confirmed ASD diagnosis; 21 years, 11 months of age or less.
If interested in participating, please contact: Alessia Greco, algreco@mcmaster.ca, or Carolyn Russell, crussel@mcmaster.ca.
Gut-Immune Biomarkers and Behaviour in Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Funded by:
Ontario Brain Institute, Province of Ontario Neurodevelopmental Disorder (POND) Network
Researchers:
Dr. Jane Foster, Dr. Dawn Bowdish
Study Description:
This project studies the relationship between the microbiome-immune-brain axis and behaviour in neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). Dysbiosis and immune abnormalities are reported in a subset of NDD patients, with increased levels of inflammation being associated with symptom severity. One aspect of this study is examining the link between the activation levels of immune cells and markers of gut inflammation with anxiety in children with NDDs. The other aspect of this study uses a reverse translation approach that examines the effects of eliminating microbiome T-cell communication and neurodevelopmental outcomes in a mouse model.
Approximate Study Period:
October 2011 – March 2023