I am interested in autism spectrum disoders (ASD) and how everyday behavior and symptoms are related to changes in the brain. To investigate this relationship, I am working together with the Nederlands Autisme Register (NAR, https://www.nederlandsautismeregister.nl/).
I am focussing on one specific aspect of sensory processing: sensory sensitivity. Individuals with ASD are often very sensitive for certain sensory inputs (such as light or sounds) or not very sensitive at all.
Therefore, I am researching how individuals with and without ASD are processing sensory inputs, how their brains react to these inputs and how this relates to hyper- or hypo-sensitivity. Specifically, I am testing a large group of people with and without ASD that are either hyper- or hypo-sensitive, using psychophysical tests for sensory sensitivity. At the same time, I am recording their brain activity using electroencaphalography (EEG).
Results from this will have multiple uses: we will enhance our understanding of both sensory processing in ASD and how this relates to hyper- and hypo-sensitivity. Additionally, we hope to identify sub-groups within the ASD. Finally, results from this study will used to contact participants to ask for a skin biopt donation. From these skin cells, neurons (brain cells) will be grown to further enhance our understanding of the relationship between brain and behavior.
