Emotion processing, gender identity, and differential risk for anxiety and depression in autistic adults

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Project Summary/Abstract Research Project Long-Term Objectives: The project will characterize phenotypic & brain factors related to co-occurring depression & anxiety in adults with autism spectrum disorder [ASD] without intellectual disability, with a focus on understudied populations at elevated risk for these conditions: females [ASDf] and gender diverse [ASDgd] individuals. Results will inform biomarker identification for comorbid depression & anxiety in ASD. Overall research design: 3 samples of ASD young adults (aged 18-30y) will be examined. All samples share phenotyping measures; two samples have a common magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] protocol: i) purposively sampled ASDf, ASDgd & ASD males will undergo phenotyping & MRI; ii) ASDf- & ASDgd-enriched sample will undergo phenotyping; iii) existing phenotyping & MRI dataset from a study that oversampled ASDf. Aim 1: Delineate impacts of emotion identification/awareness (alexithymia) & emotion regulation [ER] on depression & anxiety, and roles of sex & a continuous measure of gender identity in these impacts. Methods: multi-level modeling of depressive & anxious symptoms collected via ecological momentary assessment [EMA] will examine alexithymia as a cognitive factor in depression & anxiety, and its association with ER. Aim 2: Delineate brain networks associated with alexithymia & its 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. Associated with these conditions, ASD adults show alarmingly elevated levels of suicidality. There is no good understanding of why this is, and there is relatively little research on mechanisms—including cognitive and neural factors—that predispose ASD adults to these serious mental health conditions. 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 among ASDf & ASDgd adults. Building on her multidisciplinary background, Dr. McQuaid will receive training in 1) ASD presentations, gender diversity, & phenomenology & measurement of mood/anxiety in ASD; 2) EMA & computing skills; 3) professional development & open science. 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 respective expertise & institutional affiliations will provide Dr. McQuaid with the requisite 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 a fully independent investigator.