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Last updated: March 31, 2011

Studies Currently Recruiting

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Language Learning in Boys
We are recruiting families for a longitudinal research project designed to investigate the ways in which autism and other conditions can affect language learning in young boys. Boys with autism who (1) are between 4 and 10 years of age and (2) have been tested for and found NOT to have fragile X syndrome are eligible. Participation would require visiting the Waisman Center on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The costs for eligible travel expenses, including hotel and airfare if necessary, will be covered by the project. Because the project is longitudinal, we will ask families to return for additional testing 1.5 years after their first visit. For more information and to learn if your son is eligible, contact Dr. Len Abbeduto (abbeduto@waisman.wisc.edu or 608-263-1737) or Susen Schroeder, M.S. (sschroeder@waisman.wisc.edu or 608-263-5145). The project is a collaboration with the M.I.N.D. Institute of the University of California at Davis. This research is approved by a University of Wisconsin-Madison Institutional Review Board for the Protection of Human Participants.

Intervention Research Study for Youth with Autism who Exhibit Stereotyped and Repetitive Behaviors
A new study evaluating behavioral strategies to reduce challenging behavior experienced by youth with autism is now recruiting participants. Is your child between the ages of 10 and 18 years of age and have a diagnosis of autism? Does your child engage in stereotyped and repetitive behaviors such as hand flapping, body rocking, and lining up objects? Do they engage in non-functional routines or rituals (like opening and closing doors or stacking all the food in their lunch box, rather then opening packages and eating)? If these behaviors are interrupted, does your child engage in other challenging behavior such as tantrums, hitting, biting? If so, your child may qualify for this study.
Contact Wendy Machalicek, Ph.D: (608) 890-2279 or machalicek@wisc.edu

Supporting Parents to Address Challenging Behavior at Home
A new research study evaluating the use of videoconferencing (i.e. computer web camera, Internet) to support and teach parents of children with developmental disabilities behavior strategies to reduce challenging behavior is now recruiting participants. Is your child between the ages of 3 and 9 years of age and have a diagnosis of a developmental disability (e.g. autism, Down syndrome, intellectual disability)? Does your child engage in challenging behaviors such as aggression, tantrums, “stimming”, or self-injurious behaviors (e.g. hand biting) that disrupt everyday family routines? If so, you may qualify for participation in a study that seeks to evaluate the effects of technology to support parents in their own home to address their child’s challenging behavior and teach appropriate communication. Participating caregivers may be biological or adoptive parents, foster parents, or legal guardians of the participating child. Distance and access to necessary computer equipmen t is not a barrier to participation. Contact Wendy Machalicek, Ph.D: (608) 890-2279 or machalicek@wisc.edu

Cerebral Palsy

Cochlear Implants

Down Syndrome

Brain Imaging Study for Adults with Down Syndrome
The Waisman Center is seeking adults with Down syndrome, ages 30 and above, for a research study involving an MRI and a PET scan to examine amyloid plaque in the brains of these individuals.  Researcher Brad Christian, PhD, will look at the link between amyloid plaques and Down syndrome. Individuals with Down syndrome have an extra 21st chromosome, which contains the gene that makes these proteins and could lead to earlier development of Alzheimer’s disease. 

The study takes two days, with the first day spent reviewing the procedures, completing a caregiver questionnaire, and neuropsychological testing for the individual with Down syndrome.  On the second day brain imaging studies are performed, including an MRI that takes 30 minutes and a PET scan that takes an hour. There will also be a blood draw.  You can watch a video that shows the imaging procedures on the following link:  www.waisman.wisc.edu/amyloid.

Participants will receive compensation for time and expenses. There are some funds available for families who live a few hours from the Waisman Center to travel to Madison and have an overnight stay to allow the two study visits to be on consecutive days.

Please call Renee Makuch at (608) 262-4717 or toll-free at 1-877-558-7595 for additional information.  The Waisman Center is located at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and this study is being conducted in collaboration with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and the Down Syndrome Center at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.
Supporting Parents to Address Challenging Behavior at Home
A new research study evaluating the use of videoconferencing (i.e. computer web camera, Internet) to support and teach parents of children with developmental disabilities behavior strategies to reduce challenging behavior is now recruiting participants. Is your child between the ages of 3 and 9 years of age and have a diagnosis of a developmental disability (e.g. autism, Down syndrome, intellectual disability)? Does your child engage in challenging behaviors such as aggression, tantrums, “stimming”, or self-injurious behaviors (e.g. hand biting) that disrupt everyday family routines? If so, you may qualify for participation in a study that seeks to evaluate the effects of technology to support parents in their own home to address their child’s challenging behavior and teach appropriate communication. Participating caregivers may be biological or adoptive parents, foster parents, or legal guardians of the participating child. Distance and access to necessary computer equipmen t is not a barrier to participation.
Contact Wendy Machalicek, Ph.D: (608) 890-2279 or machalicek@wisc.edu


Genetic Influences on Cognition in Individuals with Down Syndrome
A new Waisman Center study is examining the factors that play a role in learning and problem solving in individuals with Down syndrome. Leonard Abbeduto, PhD, is conducting a study that involves 2 visits to the Waisman Center for cognitive testing and problem solving activities. A telephone interview will be conducted to determine if one is eligible for this study.

There will also be a collection of medical records, genetic tests and a parent interview. Biological samples will be obtained for genetic analysis, including saliva samples from the parents and a blood sample from the youth with Down syndrome, scheduled at their next appointment with their own physician.

Participants will be reimbursed $50 for the first testing session and $50 for the second a few months later. Up to $100 per visit for travel will be compensated, and if an overnight stay is required, a hotel room will be arranged at no cost.

Please contact Rene Pierpont, PhD, at 608-263-5906 or eipierpont@wisc.edu with any questions.

 
 
 
Cognitive Predictors of Language Ability in Down Syndrome
Researcher Leonard Abbeduto, PhD, is currently recruiting for a study about how some memory and learning challenges can affect the language abilities of youth with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities.  Dr. Abbeduto hopes that findings from this study will help find ways to improve teaching and therapy methods. Children and adolescents with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities ages 10-21 can participate. 

The first session will involve assessment to determine eligibility, including tests of vision, memory, hearing, and cognitive ability.  In some cases, an individual will be evaluated for autism and parents will participate in an interview.

If findings from the first session meet the study participation requirements, you will return 2-3 more times for learning and language tests and a conversation sample.  Parents will be asked to complete a questionnaire.   A follow up visit with the same tests and measures will take place two years after the start of participation.  There will be compensation of $50 for the first testing session and $50 for the remainder.  You will also get reimbursed for travel, up to $25.00 if you are local or up to $100.00 if the distance requires you to stay overnight.

Please contact Erica Richmond, PhD, at 608-263-3619 with any questions.

Studying Brain Development in Down syndrome Using Stem Cells made from Skin Cells

A new project at the Waisman Center is investigating what happens on a cellular level in individuals with Down syndrome. Recent developments have allowed for the creation of stem cells from skin cells rather than embryos, and these are called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells). The study involves conducting a small skin biopsy from individuals with Down syndrome, of any age, and a relative without Down syndrome. These skin cells will be developed in the laboratory to grow into stem cells that will eventually generate brain cells. The researcher's objective is to understand more about how neural cells develop in persons with Down syndrome. The iPS cells will be grown and stored permanently in the lab as stem cell lines to be used for future research. The longer term goal of this kind of research is to make progress toward testing of drugs for safety purposes and developing treatments in the future. This study is approved by a University of Wisconsin-Madison Institutional Review Board which is responsible for protecting the rights and welfare of people who take part in research studies.

 

For more information, please contact the Waisman Center Research Participation Core at 1-800-965-9205 or rpc@waisman.wisc.edu, or Anita Bhattacharyya, Ph.D., at 608- 265-6142 or bhattacharyy@waisman.wisc.edu.


Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

Fragile X syndrome

Language Learning in Boys with Fragile X Syndrome
Leonard Abbeduto, Ph.D., is investigating the developmental course of language learning in boys, who are 4- to 10-years old, English-speaking, and have fragile X syndrome. Participation involves completion of two trips, 1.5 years apart to the testing site, blood draw for genetic analysis, and parent questionnaires and activities.
Contact: Len Abbeduto, Ph.D., (608) 263-1737 or abbeduto@waisman.wisc.edu

Studying Brain Development in Fragile X Syndrome Using Stem Cells made from Skin Cells

A new project at the Waisman Center is investigating what happens on a cellular level in individuals with fragile X syndrome. Recent developments have allowed for the creation of stem cells from skin cells rather than embryos, and these are called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells). The study involves conducting a small skin biopsy from males with fragile X syndrome, of any age, and a male relative without a fragile Xassociated disorder. These skin cells will be developed in the laboratory to grow into stem cells that will eventually generate brain cells. The researcher's objective is to understand more about how neural cells develop in persons with fragile X syndrome. The iPS cells will be grown and stored permanently in the lab as stem cell lines to be used for future research.

The longer term goal of this kind of research is to make progress toward testing of drugs for safety purposes and developing treatments in the future. This study is approved by a University of Wisconsin-Madison Institutional Review Board which is responsible for protecting the rights and welfare of people who take part in research studies.

For more information, please contact the Waisman Center Research Participation Core at 1-800-965-9205 or rpc@waisman.wisc.edu, or Anita Bhattacharyya, Ph.D., at 608- 265-6142 or bhattacharyy@waisman.wisc.edu.

Infant & Child Development

Child Emotion Lab
Research projects in the Child Emotion Lab are focused on children's emotional development and the relationship between early life experiences and children's mental health. We are particularly interested in understanding two related aspects of emotional development:
• What are the mechanisms of normal emotional development? To what extent are emotions shaped by nature and nurture? Does it make sense to try to separate biology and experience?
• How are emotions related to the development of mental health problems? Might the development of emotional processes help explain the link between early life experiences and later development of psychological difficulties such as anxiety and depression? We invite families with children ages 9-17 to participate in our studies.
Please contact us at 608-890-2525 or childemotion@waisman.wisc.edu for more information.
Social Kids Lab
We study how children navigate the social world. Several ongoing studies address the development of social categories and preferences. Children ages 3-6 years are needed. For more information, call 608-263-5853 or email socialkids@psych.wisc.edu or visit www.waisman.wisc.edu/socialspace

Infant Learning Lab
There are several projects examining the learning processes underlie that acquisition of words, one's native language, and music. Infants ages 6 to 12 months and 27-32 months are needed.
http://www.waisman.wisc.edu/infantlearning/infant_research.html

Developmental Changes in Memory for Spatial Configuration
This study is recruting typically developing children 4-5 years of age to participate in a study about the development of spatial memory. In particular, how does memory for object features change during early development?
To find out more contact Vanessa Simmering, PhD at: (608) 890-2670 or UW.SPACE.lab@gamil.com.

Binaural Hearing & Speech Lab 24-36 Months (2-3 years)
Recruiting typically developing children 24-36 months old with English as their first language, normal hearing, no history of recurring ear infections, and no pressure equalization (PE) tubes. We are studying how children learn to locate sounds in their environment.
To find out more visit the website: www.waisman.wisc.edu/bhl/parents.html or contact Sam Harris at sharris2@wisc.edu

Binaural Hearing & Speech Lab 4-9 Years
Recruiting typically developing children 4-9 years of age who meet the following criteria: Native English speakers, normal hearing, no history of recurring ear infections, and no pressure equalization (PE) tubes.
To find out more visit the website: www.waisman.wisc.edu/bhl/parents.html or contact Cindy Zettler at zettler@wisc.edu

Home Time to School Time Project
Recruiting typically developing children 4/12 to 5 1/2 years of age and their mothers (who live in Dane County) to participate in a study about cognitive development and readiness to go to school. To find out more contact Janean Dilworth-Bart, PhD at: (608) 262-9770 or jedilworth@wisc.edu.

International Adoption

Wisconsin Twin Project - WTP

About the Project:
Headed by Dr. Hill Goldsmith, the Wisconsin Twin Project (WTP) is investigating the behavioral adaptations and challenges, physical similarities and differences, vocabulary development, sensory experiences, and general social-emotional development of twins born in Wisconsin. Findings from this longitudinal study will improve understanding of individual differences within genetic and environmental influences as well as how child behaviors develop through the lifetime. WTP is assisted by the Waisman Research Participation Core (RCP) in maintaining a registry of families of twins. Families who did not receive the initial letter but have twins who were born in Wisconsin between 1989 and now, and are interested in the project may contact us. Once families agree to join the Twin Registry, they may be contacted in the future about participating in different portions of the Wisconsin Twin Project. Families who join the registry are never obligated to participate; they are free to decline participation at any time.