MISLEAD
(Mechanisms for Interpreting Social Language Evaluated by ASD in Deception)
Widespread differences in social (e.g., gestures, eye contact, joint attention, perspective-taking, theory-of-mind) and cognitive (working memory, planning, cognitive flexibility) skills have been reported in autistic individuals. Such differences can lead to poor adaptive social skills (e.g., detecting deception and lying), affecting the quality of social interaction in autism. The primary goal of the MISLEAD project is to investigate the cognitive and neuropsychological mechanisms underlying detecting deception in young autistic adults. Lie-detection ability has been largely unexplored in the autistic population. Considering the real-world implications of detecting deception in a population susceptible to manipulation, this is a valuable avenue for research with translational significance.
ICON
(Inter-layer Cortical Connectivity in Autism Spectrum Disorder)
The cortex is the outermost layer of the brain, and it is responsible for our highest levels of functioning, such as thinking and planning, and social behaviors like communication. The CBRA lab is conducting a pilot study, ICON, to examine the connectivity between layers of neurons across the cortex, and to compare differences between autistic and non-autistic individuals. The ultra-high resolution of the 7-tesla MRI scanner allows us to take images of the brain with greater clarity than prior imaging efforts of autistic brains.
TRANSIT
(Translational Research on Autism and Neural Scanning in Transportation)
The UAB Cognition Brain and Autism laboratory and the Transportation Research and Injury Prevention (TRIP) laboratory are currently publishing the data from the study examining driving behaviors in adolescents and young adults with autism and with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
PEERS
(Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills)
In collaboration with the UAB Civitan-Sparks Clinics, the Cognition, Brain and Autism Laboratory of the Department of Psychology at UAB and UA is currently investigating brain structure and functioning in adolescents and young adults with difficulties in social skills. We are assessing the impact of the PEERS® training program (14-week parent-assisted social skills intervention) in optimizing the brain function and structure in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We predict that the PEERS® training will improve the functioning of the social brain in ASD.
