Lurie Center for Autism Research Program

Overview

At the Lurie Center for Autism, our interdisciplinary research program spans preclinical laboratories and clinical studies, with a shared goal of translating scientific discoveries into real-world impact. Physicians, scientists, and clinicians work together with families to advance understanding of autism and related conditions. We aim to prioritize research questions that reflect the needs, experiences, and priorities of individuals with autism and their families.

Jacob M. Hooker, PhD
Professor, Radiology, Harvard Medical School
Scientific Director, Lurie Center for Autism, MGH

Kelly Dakin, PhD
Associate Scientific Director, Lurie Center for Autism at MGH

Clinical Research

At our Lexington-based clinic, individuals with autism and related neurodevelopmental conditions and their families actively engage in research studies, gaining access to promising new treatments and becoming vital partners in the discovery process. By participating in research, you drive discoveries and advance knowledge for everyone.

Preclinical (Laboratory) Research

The Preclinical Research Team at the Lurie Center for Autism are at the forefront of investigating the complex biological processes underlying ASD. Our dedicated lab scientists use a variety of techniques to uncover the molecular, genetic, and cellular mechanisms that contribute to the development of ASD. Their work provides an essential pipeline of new therapeutic targets and approaches for intervention.

Research projects

Current Lurie Center for Autism Studies for All Ages

Help us increase autistic representation in the Mass General Brigham/Lurie Center Biobank

• Goal: The long-term goal of the Mass General Brigham/Lurie Center Biobank is to learn how to better understand, diagnose and treat neurodevelopmental conditions such as ASD. Participation entails a blood draw and health questionnaires.
• Seeking volunteers: Everyone! Seeking participants both with and without autism.

Join our Research Registry to learn about future research opportunities and clinical trials

• Goal: To create a registry of individuals interested in autism research in order to facilitate future communication about studies that may be of interest. We want to hear about the types of research that matter most to you!
• Seeking volunteers: Everyone! All are welcome to join!

SPARK: Simons Foundation Powering Autism Research for Knowledge, a national cohort of individuals and families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder

• Goal: SPARK’s mission is to improve the lives of people with autism by identifying the causes of autism and informing more effective therapies, treatments, services, and supports.
• Seeking volunteers: SPARK is for all individuals living in the U.S. with a professional diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their family members You can create a SPARK account if you are an independent adult with a professional diagnosis of ASD, or if you are the legal guardian of a person with a professional diagnosis of ASD.

Join GLOW-AS and Help Researchers Learn How Angelman Syndrome Changes Over Time

• Goal: To better understand how Angelman syndrome (AS) naturally progresses to help guide the development of future treatments.
• Seeking volunteers: Participants 1+ years-old, with all subtypes of Angelman syndrome, willing to come in person to the Lurie Center for Autism in Lexington, MA, every 3 months over 1 year

Current Lurie Center for Autism Studies for Children

Can a naturally occurring hormone support bone density, structure, and strength in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder?

• Goal: To determine if a naturally occurring hormone (oxytocin) can support bone health in children with ASD. Children with ASD have lower bone density which puts them at higher risk for bone fracture and long-term issues with bone health.
• Seeking volunteers: Participants 6-18 years old, with a diagnosis of ASD. Participants will be compensated up to $650 for their time and reimbursed for travel/parking.

How effective are ADHD medications for children and adolescents with ADHD and co-occurring autism spectrum disorder? (AWARE)

• Goal: The purpose of this research study is to evaluate the efficacy of medications that are commonly used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
• Seeking volunteers: Participants 4-17 years old with ADHD and ASD. Participants must be able and willing to start a medication to treat their ADHD. Participants will need a designated parent or guardian who can report on symptoms over the course of the study.

Can studying how autism symptoms change during fever deepen our understanding of autism and lead to new treatments?

• Goal: To advance our understanding of ASD by investigating the phenomenon of “fever responsiveness,” aiming to uncover underlying biological mechanisms and potential therapeutic implications.
• Seeking volunteers: Participants 3-17 years-old, with or without a diagnosis of ASD.

Current Lurie Center for Autism Studies for Adults

How do Autoimmune Disorders relate to autism?

• Goal: To investigate autoimmune disorders and how they relate to autism spectrum disorder.
• Seeking volunteers: Males, 18-50 years old, diagnosed with ASD, as well as their biological parents or siblings. Also seeking neurotypical participants, males 18-50 years old, with no autoimmune conditions.
• For more info: Autistic volunteers click here. Neurotypical volunteers click here.

How can high-resolution brain imaging help us understand ASD?

• Goal: To use high-resolution MRI to gain a deeper understanding of brain structure and function in ASD.
• Seeking volunteers: Participants with and without ASD, ages 18 years and above.
• Individuals with ASD
• Neurotypical adults

Lurie Center Clinician Researchers

• Kirstin Birtwell, PhD
• Sarah Kadzielski, MD
• Christopher Keary, MD
• Christopher J. McDougle, MD
• Susanna Mierau, MD, PhD
• Ann Neumeyer, MD
• Jill Pineda, PhD
• Michelle Palumbo, MD
• Caitlin Ravichandran, PhD
• Ron Thibert, DO, MSPH
• Robyn Thom, MD

Lurie Center Faculty Associates

The Lurie Center is committed to a collaborative approach to research and aims to connect with other amazing scientists within the greater Boston area and beyond. Lurie Center Faculty Associates are active participants in the Lurie Center scientific community - attending scientific meetings, leading and collaborating on projects, and driving autism research toward clinical impact.

Staci Bilbo, PhD

Haley Family Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University
Professor of Neurobiology and Cell Biology, Duke University
Faculty Associate, Lurie Center for Autism, MGH
Bilbo Lab

William Carlezon, PhD

Chief, Jerry and Phyllis Rappaport Center of Excellence in Basic Neuroscience Research, McLean Hospital
Director, Behavioral Genetics Laboratory, McLean Hospital
Phyllis and Jerome Lyle Rappaport Chair in Psychiatry, McLean Hospital
Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
Faculty Associate, Lurie Center for Autism, MGH
Carlezon Lab

Sundari Chetty, PhD

Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
Investigator, Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital
Affiliate Faculty, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard
Principal Faculty, Harvard Stem Cell Institute
Faculty Associate, Lurie Center for Autism, MGH
Chetty lab

Mark Deehan, PhD

Instructor, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School
Faculty Associate, Lurie Center for Autism, MGH

Jun Huh, PhD

Associate Professor, Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School
Co-Faculty Director, Gnotobiotic Core, Harvard Medical School
Faculty Associate, Lurie Center for Autism, MGH
Huh lab

Gagan Joshi, MD

Director, Autism Spectrum Disorder Program Clinical and Research Program in Pediatric Psychopharmacology
Director, The Alan & Lorraine Bressler Program for Autism Spectrum Disorder Massachusetts General Hospital
David T. Rovee, PhD and Joanne V. Rovee Chair in Child Psychiatry Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
Faculty Associate, Lurie Center for Autism, MGH

Elizabeth Lawson, MD, MMSC

Physician Investigator, Neuroendocrine, Mass General Research Institute
Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Associate Physician, Neuroendocrine, MGH
Faculty Associate, Lurie Center for Autism, MGH

Michael Levy, MD, PhD

Associate Professor, Harvard Medical School
Director, Neuroimmunology Clinic and Research Laboratory
Research Director, Division of Neuroimmunology & Neuroinfectious Disease
Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital
Faculty Associate, Lurie Center for Autism, MGH
Levy Lab

Dara Manoach, PhD

Director of the Sleep, Cognition, and Neuropsychiatry (SCAN) Lab, Psychiatric Neuroimaging, Mass General Research Institute
Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
Psychologist, Psychiatry Department, MGH
Paul B. and Sandra M. Edgerley MGH Research Scholar 2019-2024, Mass General Research Institute, MGH
Faculty Associate, Lurie Center for Autism, MGH
Manoach Lab

Madhusmita, Misra, MD, MPH

Chief of Pediatric Endocrinology; Pediatrics, MGH
Fritz Bradley Talbot and Nathan Bill Talbot Professor of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School
Pediatrician, Pediatric Endocrinology Program and Diabetes Center, MGH
Research Staff, Neuroendocrine, MGH
Faculty Associate, Lurie Center for Autism, MGH

Maria Mody, PhD, CCC-SLP

Assistant Professor of Radiology, Harvard Medical School
Investigator, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Mass General Research Institute, MGH
Faculty Associate, Lurie Center for Autism, MGH
Athinoula A. Martinos Center

Tiziana Petrozziello, Ph.D.

Instructor in Neurology, Harvard Medical School
Instructor in Investigation, NeuroEpigenetics Laboratory, MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease (MIND)
Faculty Associate, Lurie Center for Autism, MGH

Thomas Quatieri, ScD, EE, MS, BS

Senior Staff, Human Health and Performance Systems Group, Lincoln Laboratory, MIT
Faculty, Speech and Hearing Bioscience and Technology Program, Harvard Division of Medical Sciences
Faculty Associate, Lurie Center for Autism, MGH

Elise Robinson, ScD

Assistant Professor in the Center for Genomic Medicine and Department of Psychiatry, MGH
Institute Member of the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard
Faculty Associate, Lurie Center for Autism, MGH
The Robinson Lab

Caroline Smith, PhD

Straus Family Sesquicentennial Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Boston College
Faculty Associate, Lurie Center for Autism, MGH
Smith Lab at Boston College

Emi Takahashi (Oki), PhD

Associate Professor of Radiology, MGH, Harvard Medical School
Faculty Associate, Lurie Center for Autism, MGH
Takahashi Lab

Publications

View publications here

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