Holland Bloorview’s research institute (the Bloorview Research Institute) is proud to announce that Dr. Evdokia Anagnostou, senior scientist, autism research centre (ARC) has received a five-year Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) project grant in the amount of just over $1 million. Dr. Anagnostou’s research will be instrumental in looking at Aging in Autism Spectrum Disorders: Changes in Brain Structure and Function.

Little is known about how aging changes the brain in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and with long life expectancy as well as increasing prevalence of ASD, there is a need to understand the impact of the ASD diagnosis on the brain, later in life. The aim of Dr. Anagnostou’s study is to characterize these changes, and link them with symptoms and long-term outcomes of ASD. Her research will be fundamental in understanding the structural and functional brain changes with age in ASD, how they relate to behavior, thinking skills and real life outcomes, to be better equipped to support these individuals as they age.

Dr. Anagnostou co-leads the autism research centre at Holland Bloorview, which conducts research to improve outcomes and quality of life for children and families with ASD and other neurodevelopmental conditions. Dr. Anagnostou’s research looks at how genes affect brain structure/function, behaviour, cognition and health in children and adults with neurodevelopmental disorders, and works to translate this information to new interventions.

To learn more about the work of ARC, please visit Autism Research Centre page.