Research Studies

MRI Brain Development Studies for Children & Adolescents

Researchers at the Boston University School of Medicine are using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to investigate brain structure, connections, and functions.

Who can participate?
Individuals with autism or Asperger Syndrome, ages 7-18 years, as well as typically developing children in the same age group.

What happens in the study?
Participants will undergo a practice session in our pretend MRI scanner. The practice session is used to allow the participant to see what the MRI will be like and to practice lying still. We will also give several standardized and diagnostic tests to confirm diagnosis of autism and assess cognitive and language abilities.

What is the time commitment?
Each practice MRI session lasts about 30 minutes and the real MRI scan takes about 30-45 minutes. The standardized testing for typically developing individuals takes about 2.5 hours. For individuals with autism or Asperger's who have not been to our lab before, the testing will be over several visits and takes about 5 hours total. Participants will compensated for their time and recieve a picture of their brain.

For more information, please call Linda Sudlesky at 617-414-1304 or email ddrp@bu.edu.