Project Details
Projekt
Developmental Trajectories in ARID1B-Related Disorder – a Multi-Method Multi-Site Prospective Natural History Study
Subject Area
Human Genetics
Term
since 2024
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 542554376
ARID1B is the most frequently mutated single gene among neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) that are not inherited, with an approximated prevalence of one in 9,500 individuals. ARID1B-related disorder (ARID1B-RD) manifests in early childhood as moderate to severe developmental delay, and children and adults with the disorder have intellectual disability (ID) and are often diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder along with many other clinical signs. Despite ARID1B-RD’s high prevalence and extensive debilitating effects, the current understanding of how the disorder develops over time is strikingly limited. The proposed project will address this gap by employing a prospective longitudinal multi-method design. Specifically, in six sites, we will monitor the development of 100 children and adolescents aged 2-18 with ARID1B-RD for three years. Monitoring will involve (a) administration of standardized NDD assessments complemented by ARID1B-RD-specific tools; (b) evaluation of biological aspects of ARID1B-RD (for example, electric brain activity); and (c) collection of daily life data via caregivers’ reports, and audio and movement data using smartwatches and microphones. The project team brings a diverse set of complementary skills and collaborates with a leading patient advocacy organization. The project will generate a comprehensive picture of the progression of ARID1B-RD . The data will allow identifying and validating measurable targets for interventions, thus facilitating the development of effective treatments for thousands of children worldwide.
DFG Programme
Research Grants
International Connection
Canada, France, Israel, Italy, Sweden
