The Cambridge Ultrasound Siblings and Parents (CUSP) Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The Cambridge Ultrasound Siblings and Parents (CUSP) Study
IRAS ID
196536
Contact name
Simon Baron-Cohen
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and The University of Cambridge
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 0 months, 2 days
Research summary
The prenatal period is a critical period for development. Extensive research has linked early development during pregnancy to later developmental problems, such as autism spectrum conditions (ASC). From previous research, it is apparent that ASC is a complex genetic set of conditions, with a strong sex bias towards males. ASC has been linked to increased testosterone levels in utero, with the level of exposure having various influences on fetal development (i.e. brain development). Previous studies have shown that even with these identified biological and behavioural characteristics; the earliest identification of ‘high risk’ infants is at 12 months of age. Here we propose to examine these risk characteristics from fetal to postnatal life in a longitudinal study.
The proposed study focuses on the differences in fetal development between typically developing children, children with a parent with ASC and those with a sibling with an existing diagnosis of ASC. This study will test potential fetal biomarkers that may be predictive of risk for autism. As autism cannot be reliably diagnosed before 18 months of age, we focus on siblings and children of parents with ASC, as high familial risk of ASC increases the risk of autism nearly 20-fold.
All mothers will have an ultrasound once between 28-32weeks of their pregnancy where measurements of the baby’s body including head will be taken. Additionally the child will be followed up at 18 months and between 24-36months to observe behavioural and physical development.The Autism Research Trust will fund the research. We will recruit from the Cambridge and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, and recruit individuals with a diagnosis of ASC through the Cambridge Autism Research Database (CARD) or through local autism support networks and clinics with the help of social media.
REC name
East of England - Cambridge Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/EE/0004
Date of REC Opinion
7 Mar 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion