Emotion processing and risk for anxiety and depression in autistic adults

Research Project Long-Term Objectives: Characterize phenotypic & brain factors related to co-occurring depression & anxiety in adults with autism spectrum disorder [ASD] without intellectual disability, with a focus on an understudied population that is at elevated risk for these conditions: ASD biological females. Results will inform biomarker identification for comorbid depression & anxiety in ASD. Overall research design: 3 samples of ASD young adults (18-30y) will be examined. All samples share phenotyping measures; 2 samples have a common magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] protocol: i) ASD biological males and ASD biological females will undergo phenotyping & MRI; ii) ASD biological males and ASD biological females will undergo phenotyping and ecological momentary assessment [EMA]; iii) existing phenotyping & MRI dataset that of ASD biological males and ASD biological females. Aim 1: Delineate impacts of emotion identification/awareness (alexithymia) & emotion regulation [ER] on depression & anxiety, and role of biological sex in these impacts. Methods: multi-level modeling of EMA-collected depressive/anxious symptoms will examine alexithymia as a cognitive factor in depression/anxiety, and its association with ER. Aim 2: Delineate brain networks associated with alexithymia & impacts on depression/anxiety/ER. Methods: regression modeling will relate structural & functional MRI brain connectivity metrics to alexithymia, ER & depression & anxiety. Health Relatedness: ASD adults experience depression & anxiety at elevated rates, and relatedly, ASD adults show alarmingly elevated levels of suicidality. There is no good understanding of why this is, and relatively little research on mechanisms—including cognitive and neural factors—that predispose ASD adults to these serious mental health conditions. This project thus seeks to idenfity potential mechanisms of elevated risk and advance solution-oriented approaches in health disparities research of autistic adults. Candidate’s Career Goals & Development Plan: Dr. McQuaid’s long-term goal is to become an independent investigator with a research program focused on ASD in adulthood and factors relevant to improving mental health in this population. Her short-term goals are to characterize brain & behavioral/cognitive factors that predict increased vulnerability for depression & anxiety in ASD. Building on her multidisciplinary background, Dr. McQuaid will receive training in 1) ASD & measurement of mood/anxiety in ASD; 2) EMA & computing skills; 3) professional development & open science practices to support and further her commitment to replicable, reproducible and generalizable research. Environment: Dr. McQuaid is supported by a cohesive team of expert scientists with overlapping & complementary research programs. They will provide an intensive, focused, & seamless mentorship experience, and their expertise & institutional affiliations will provide Dr. McQuaid with the guidance & resources to achieve the research aims & training goals. Taken together, the research & training, mentor team, & environment afforded by the K01 will serve as a bridge that will successfully transition Dr. McQuaid from her current position to that of an independent investigator.