Project description
A deeper understanding of circadian rhythms in autism spectrum disorders through genetics
Sleep disorders are common in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The biggest problems include difficulty falling asleep and reduced sleeping time. The EU-funded FamilySleeps project will explore the genetic basis of sleep and circadian rhythms in ASD. This project will involve a one year longitudinal study of circadian rhythms and sleep disturbances, along with genetic analysis, in families with ASD.
Objective
Sleep disturbances are highly prevalent in children with neurodevelopmental disorders, and this adversely impacts the whole familys wellbeing. While the origins of neurodevelopmental disorders are considered largely genetic, the mechanisms that underlie sleep disruption, and their relationship to neurodevelopment, is relatively unexplored. Chronotype is our daily preference for morning or evening time, and a recent large-scale genome-wide association study highlighted its significant relationship with the most common neurodevelopmental disorder, autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Chronotype is an indication of our circadian rhythms, which alongside environmental factors, influences sleep disturbance. However, challenges in obtaining objective circadian rhythm and sleep timing measurements in ASD mean we are uncertain about their role.
The FamilySleeps research programme will challenge the view that sleep disruption in children with ASD is driven only by environmental and behavioural factors. I will address two hypotheses;
1) that a disruption to circadian rhythms is an endophenotype of ASD
2) that a disruption to circadian rhythms has an independent common genetic component.
To test these hypotheses, FamilySleeps will ask if children with ASD show sleep and circadian rhythm disturbances compared to typically developing children; if unaffected siblings have disturbed sleep and circadian rhythm patterns; and if sleep and circadian rhythm disruption correlates with a genetic risk for ASD.
I will apply technologically-advanced and non-invasive sensors to obtain a one-year longitudinal objective measure of sleep disturbances and circadian rhythms in 60 families. I will generate genomic risk scores to establish the genetic risk of ASD. FamilySleeps will lead a breakthrough in understanding the role of circadian rhythms in ASD, which has implications for breakthroughs in other neurodevelopmental disorders, and understanding a process fundamental to life sleep.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine psychiatry sleep disorders
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering sensors
You need to log in or register to use this function
We are sorry... an unexpected error occurred during execution.
You need to be authenticated. Your session might have expired.
Thank you for your feedback. You will soon receive an email to confirm the submission. If you have selected to be notified about the reporting status, you will also be contacted when the reporting status will change.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
-
H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
ERC-STG - Starting Grant
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2020-STG
See all projects funded under this callHost institution
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
W23 Maynooth
Ireland
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.