ABOUT THE PROJECT


In a nutshell


Our research team, led by Marietta Papadatou-Pastou, Associate Professor at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and Affiliated Investigator of the BioMedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, investigates brain lateralisation for language in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and in individuals with autism-like traits (i.e., with the broader autism phenotype or BAP)—combining transcranial ultrasonography, behavioural assessements online testing, and genetics to to investigate whether cerebral language lateralisation could serve as a neurophysiological biomarker for the broader autism phenotype. This work could inform earlier screening and a deeper understanding of the autism spectrum.


What are we studying?


A key focus of our work is cerebral lateralisation for language: the brain’s tendency to rely more on one hemisphere (usually the left) when we understand and produce language. This is also sometimes called brain lateralisation, hemispheric dominance, hemispheric specialization, or brain asymmetry.


The broader autism phenotype refers to subtle autistic-like characteristics that do not meet diagnostic thresholds, but are more common in families of individuals with autism spectrum disorder than in the general population. 


Previous research has shown that reduced language lateralisation is consistently linked to autism spectrum disorder. More recently, evidence has emerged suggesting that reduced language lateralisation may be also seen in neurotypical individuals who report high levels of autism-like traits. Together, these findings suggest that how the brain organises language may provide important clues—not only about autism spectrum disorder, but also about the  broader autism phenotype. In this project, we aim to investigate whether cerebral language lateralisation could serve as a neurophysiological biomarker for the  broader autism phenotype.


How do we study cerebral lateralisation?


Our research programme includes several complementary studies—including, among others, meta-analyses and primary studies employing transcranial ultrasonography as well as online testing. 


To do this, we combine multiple methods and perspectives, including:


 🧠 functional Transcranial Doppler ultrasound (fTCD), a non-invasive technique that measures blood flow in the brain during language tasks  (but also visuospatial tasks, to  test the specificity of this finding)
 🖥️ computer-based laterality tasks, which can be completed quickly (and potentially even online)
 🖐️ handedness and neuropsychological assessments
 🧬 genetic analyses, including DNA extraction for exome sequencing


We use state-of-the-art equipment for fTCD, including robotic ultrasound probes, which was purchased through a previous HFRI-funded project led by the Principal Investigator (Project Number: HFRI-FM17-746).


Why does this matter? 


A major goal of this project is to translate our findings into practical tools. In particular, we aim to validate a fast and scalable screening method—a computerized behavioural laterality battery—that could complement existing clinical assessments and support:



Ultimately, our findings and the tools we develop will help advance:


 (i) our understanding of ASD and BAP,
 (ii) earlier screening approaches,
 (iii) scalable “en masse” screening for BAP, and
 (iv) the identification of genetic risk factors linked to ASD and BAP.


Where is our lab?


Our lab is is hosted in the Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens and belongs to the Basic Research Center.


This project if funded by the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation under the "3rd Call for H.F.R.I.'s Research Projects to Support Faculty Members & Researchers" (H.F.R.I. Project Number: 25133)