UNC Infant Brain Imaging Study (IBIS Network)

One of the new groundbreaking autism research projects recently funded by the National Institute of Health will examine brain development in autism by studying infant siblings of children with autism. The UNC research group, under the direction of Dr. Joseph Piven, in collaboration with The University of Washington, The University of Pennsylvania (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia), Washington University in St. Louis, McGill University, the University of Albert and the University of Utah will be using some of the most advanced brain imaging technology to examine how brain structure changes during the important period from 6 to 24 months of age.

Autism Speaks has also provided funding to expand and link the IBIS Network with the Early Autism Risk Longitudinal Investigation (EARLI) to investigate genetic and environmental risk factors for autism from pre-natal development through early childhood.

The data gathered in this study will provide important information regarding early brain development as well as genetic and environmental factors associated with autism.

If you have a child already diagnosed with autism, and are pregnant or have an infant under 12 months of age, please contact the UNC research group at 1-800-793-5715, visit the website at www.ibis-network.org, or email ibisnetwork@gmail.com for more information about this innovative new study.