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.
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 co-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 resources to support in their roles with their sibling with a disability.
Our study includes two stages:
In Stage 1, an online workshop was held with sibling participants (ages 15-25 years old) who have a sibling with a disability to ask about the topics and information that they would like to include in the toolkit. Our multidisciplinary team of researchers and members of the Sibling Youth Advisory Council (SibYAC) are currently analyzing the results from the workshop to co-develop the toolkit prototypes.
In Stage 2, we will hold focus groups with siblings, parents/caregivers, and healthcare professionals to ask for feedback on the toolkit prototypes.
Approximate Study Period:
May 2023 – ongoing
Pathways to Better Developmental Health in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Funded by:
Canadian Institutes 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:
The Pediatric Autism Research Cohort (PARC) Study
Funded by:
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
Researchers:
Dr. Stelios Georgiades, Dr. Caroline Roncadin, Dr. Ronit Mesterman, Dr. Irene Drmic, Dr. Terry Bennett, Dr. Kathy Georgiades, Dr. Eric Duku, Dr. Mackenzie Salt, Dr. Yun-Ju (Claire) Chen, Dr. Briano Di Rezze, Dr. Olaf Kraus De Camargo, Dr. Peter Rosenbaum, Dr. Julia Frei, Dr. Mohammad Zubairi, Dr. Stephen Gentles, Dr. Elisabetta Trinari, 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 7 years old, and inviting their families to complete sets of online questionnaires every 6 months over the study period.
This is the full scale version of the PARC study (for more information, see this link).
Approximate Study Period:
January 2021 – ongoing
More Information:
This study is currently recruiting.
Eligibility criteria: Children who are under 7 years of age and received an autism diagnosis in the past year, and who are local to the Hamilton-Niagara region in Ontario.
If interested in participating, please contact: Anna Kata at kataa@mcmaster.ca.
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. Elisabetta Trinari, Dr. Julia Frei, and Colleagues.
Study Description:
The POND Network is a group of dedicated scientists, doctors, and community members who work together to help children with neurodevelopmental disorders. We work with those diagnosed with conditions like autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), intellectual disability (ID), and more. Our goal is to improve the lives of these children by developing new and better treatments. Although progress has been made in treating these disorders, there is still much to do to improve long-term outcomes. We need more effective therapies, including medications, behavioural strategies, and social support.
Approximate Study Period:
October 2011 – ongoing
More Information:
This study is currently recruiting.
Eligibility criteria: Families with one or more child/teen (age 21 or younger) with a neurodevelopmental disorder or genetic condition. (Examples: autism, ADHD, and Down Syndrome, etc.)
If interested in participating, please contact: 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