Research Projects
Motion Tracking
Using synchronized video recordings we capture clinician child interactions, enabling objective measurements of the child's distance from the clinician and their orientation toward the clinician. Using AI-enabled algorithms we are also able to identify and quantify stereotypical movements (e.g., hand flapping) and facial expressions. We are in the process of developing additional markers to provide reliable, automated quantification of social and stereotypical behaviors that allow us to monitor the child's development over time, including response to intervention.
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Genetics: Whole-Exome Sequencing (WES)
We collect saliva from participating children and their parents for whole-exome DNA sequencing. The resulting genetic profiles help identify both population-level and family-specific contributors to autism across Israel’s diverse communities. We hope to identify genetic subgroups of children who are more likely to benefit from specific interventions.
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Eye Tracking
Participating children watch a series of brief videos in a 15–20 minute session while their gaze is recorded with a high precision eye tracker. By analyzing the children's eye movements, we can estimate social preference (amount of gaze towards faces) and a variety of additional gaze properties that are unique to autistic children. The goal is to develop eye-tracking tools for early identification of autism and to quantify how social preference changes over time and in response to intervention.
Prenatal Ultrasound & MRI Scans
A considerable proportion of children with autism in our database were born following high-risk pregnancies. Soroka Medical Center’s electronic medical records include prenatal ultrasound examinations and fetal MRI scans for a subset of these children. We are conducting a retrospective analysis of these data to test whether early brain differences can be identified that distinguish high-risk pregnancies leading to an autism diagnoses.
Voice and Speech Analysis
We study how children with autism speak, analyzing their speech acoustics or prosody (e.g., pitch and energy). Using signal processing and machine learning, we analyze audio recorded during ADOS assessments to quantify prosody, identify echolalia, and detect crying/screaming events. Further research will also examine the verbal content of the children's speech in an effort to quantify the social skills through the analysis of spoken language.
Early Educational Settings
In this longitudinal study we are examining how 3-4 year old children with autism improve over time in exclusive special education versus inclusive mainstream education settings. This comparison will examine a large number of children with autism who are assigned to each educational setting in Beer Sheva.
Effectiveness and Safety of Pharmacotherapy
Pharmacotherapy is often used to reduce tantrums/irritability, self-injury, hyperactivity and attention difficulties, sleep problems, anxiety, and seizures in children with autism. In this prospective study we examine how children respond to existing medications. We track their behavior and adverse events over six months from starting the medication. The goal is to identify specific child characteristics that are associated with the effectiveness and safety of commonly used medications.
Early markers of Autism Development
The “Well-Baby Clinics” study tests whether routine growth and developmental data (birth–24 months) from Israel’s Tipat Halav clinics can identify children with higher likelihood of developing autism. Using 2014–2022 cohorts and diagnostic records from the Azrieli Center and Soroka, we are building and validating a machine-learning prediction model to support earlier referrals.
Medicinal Cannabis Research
In collaboration with SciSparc, we are performing a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial with a crossover design to examine the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of SCI-210—a combination of CBD oil and CannAmide (PEA). This treatment is being compared to the use of CBD oil and placebo. Before and after the 12 week treatment period we assess the children's core autism symptoms, behavioral and sleep problems, adaptive behavior, and language abilities. Safety and tolerability evaluations are performed throughout the study.