New NHMRC grant funding for autism research

A new research project by that aims to predict and improve autism outcomes from conception has been awarded a $900,000 NHMRC research grant.

The Barwon Infant Study, a collaboration between Deakin University, Barwon Health, and the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, has followed over 900 children from infancy to 9 years. More than 7% have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. More than 4% of children now commence school with autism-related NDIS support.

The new research project, led by Professor Peter Vuillermin, will assess how modifiable factors during pregnancy, such as exposure to plastic pollutants and diet, impact the risk of autism. Gene expression in placenta samples of children later diagnosed with autism is noticeably different.

Prof Vuillermin, Barwon Health Clinical Director of Research and lead of the Barwon Infant Study, says their hypothesis is that reduced plastic chemical exposure and a high-quality maternal diet during pregnancy can improve autism outcomes from conception forward by improving placental function.

‘Using cutting-edge approaches, our research will directly inform subsequent large-scale clinical trials and public health interventions targeting defined prenatal pathways to improve autism outcomes,’ he says.

The project will bring together expertise from the NHMRC-funded Barwon Infant Study (BIS), the MRFF-funded Bugs & Bumps clinical trial, and the Western Alliance-funded Pregnancy Research and Translation Ecosystem (PRT-E).