How does it work?

In the LEAP study, participants and their families provide information about themselves using questionnaires, interviews, paper-and-pencil or computer tasks and games, brain imaging and biological samples like saliva and blood. To complete all of these tasks, participants and their families usually visit a local site on two different days. 

Who can take part? 

Since the beginning of the study, well over 700 families in England, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and Italy have taken part. When the study first launched, LEAP participants were aged between 6-30 years, including males and females and individuals with intellectual disability. We are immensely grateful to all of the dedicated families who have volunteered their time to make this research possible and who continue to show their commitment to the project.

What does the LEAP study look like?

Questionnaires and interviews – We collect information about the development, preferences and experiences of LEAP participants, such as their social activities, routines, sensory experiences and mood. We also ask about family history of different neurodevelopmental and psychiatric conditions.

Cognitive tasks and games – We ask LEAP participants to complete a series of paper-and-pencil and computer tasks and games that measure processes like attention, memory, sensory and emotion processing or social understanding.

Brain imaging – LEAP volunteers take part in two different kinds of brain imaging. One is called an MRI scan, where participants lie still inside a machine that takes a series of images of their brain while they either watch a video, play some games or take a nap. Brain activity is also recorded using EEG, where participants wear a cap on their head (like a swimming cap) with lots of small electrodes that pick up the electrical signals that are sent between different brain cells.

Biological samples – Some participants also provide a sample, like saliva or blood during one of their visits if they are happy to do so. These samples are used to measure immune and hormone activity or provide genetic information related to how the brain develops.

What happens next?

All of these tasks will allow us to… 

• Understand how autism and commonly co-occurring health conditions (e.g. epilepsy, anxiety) develop from childhood to early adulthood.
• Identify features of autism and its co-occurring health conditions that can be measured, called ‘biomarkers’.
• Understand individual differences between autistic people, to develop more effective treatment options that are better tailored to each person’s needs, preferences and strengths.
• Although this study does not test medicines, its findings may inform the future development of personalised treatments. The research may also inform the development and use of non-medical treatments.