Autism Research Centre (ARC)

The ARC Mission Statement is to conduct research that both deepens the understanding of autism, and has real-world relevance for improving the health and wellbeing of autistic people and their families.

Our permanent website is under construction. Please check back for updates.

A little girl with dark curly hair smiling with a colourful abacus

About ARC

We bring together scientists from across Cambridge University and international collaborators into multidisciplinary teams, and we ensure that evidence from research is translated into policy change and impact via the science-led lobbying charity, the Autism Centre of Excellence (ACE) at Cambridge.

The ARC comprises approximately 30 research scientists and support staff, drawn from a range of disciplines such as cognitive neuroscience, psychiatry, paediatrics, neonatology, genetics, bioinformatics, endocrinology, clinical psychology and psychiatry, epidemiology, proteomics, and molecular biology.

We use state-of-the-art technology in these investigations, including functional and structural magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI and sMRI), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), event-related potentials (ERPs), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), whole genome sequencing, genome wide association studies, ultrasound scanning, amniocentesis, and gaze-tracking.

Our Funders

The ARC is partnered with many charities such as the Autism Centre of Excellence at Cambridge (ACE) (opens in a new tab), the National Autistic Society (opens in a new tab) and Autistica (opens in a new tab), many clinical providers such as the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Mental Health Foundation NHS Trust (opens in a new tab) and with companies such as Auticon (opens in a new tab) and Universal Music (opens in a new tab). We also collaborate with universities such as King’s College London (opens in a new tab) and the Institut Pasteur (opens in a new tab).

The ARC works closely with ACE (opens in a new tab), to accelerate basic and applied autism research and translate this into evidence-based clinical practice (services) and to increase employment opportunities for autistic adults.

The ARC receives major funding from the Simons Foundation, the Wellcome Trust, the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), the Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI), and the Rosetrees Trust, among many other donors and sponsors.

The ARC was founded in 1998. It has published over 600 peer reviewed articles, many books, and resources for autistic people, their families, for teachers and for clinicians.

Our Values

At the ARC, we ensure that participants in our research are first and foremost recognised as people with human rights, agency and value. Whilst this should go without saying, we are aware that, in the history of science more broadly and in autism research in particular, this has not always been a given. We also know that research can lead to real-world consequences for autistic people, and that our field is inextricably linked to the wider context of neurodiversity in society. Accordingly, we advocate for the following values, to ensure we live up to our ethical responsibilities.

Contact Us

Autism Research Centre

Douglas House
18b Trumpington Road
Cambridge
CB2 8AH
United Kingdom

email: the ARC administrator (opens in a new tab)

Principle Staff in Cambridge

Top L-R: Professor Sir Simon Baron-Cohen, Director of the Autism Research Centre; Professor Topun Austin Consultant Neonatologist at Rosie Hospital and Director of Evelyn Perinatal Imaging Centre (EPIC); Professor Richard Bethlehem, Director of Neuroimaging; Professor Carol Brayne CBE Director of the Cambridge Institute of Public Health. Bottom L_R: Professor Ed Bullmore, Director of the Centre for Psychiatric Neuroimaging; Dr Jason Carroll, Group Leader/Principal Investigator, Carroll Lab, Cambridge Research Institute; Dr Gerald Hackett Consultant in Foetal Medicine at Rosie Hospital; Professor Matthew Hurles, Head of Human Genetics and Senior Group Leader, Welcome Sanger Institute.

Top L_R: Dr Mark Kotter, Clinical Lecturer, Department of Clinical Neurosciences; Dr Madeline Lancaster Group Leader, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology; Dr Hilary Martin, Group Leader, Welcome Sanger Institute; Professor Kathy Niakan, Professor of Reproductive Physiology and Director of the Centre for Trophoblast Research. Bottom L-R: Professor David Rowitch Professor and Head of Paediatrics, University of Cambridge; Professor Jon Simons, Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience and Deputy Head of the School of Biological Sciences; Professor John Suckling, Director of Research in Psychiatric Neuroimaging, Brain Mapping Unit; Dr Varun Warrier, Assistant Professor.

The ARC team in Cambridge

Research Programmes

A woman looking at brain scans on a screen and pointing at them

Cambridge Human Imaging and Longitudinal Development (CHILD) Study

This study will help us to better understand early developmental differences in autism as well as how autistic mothers can be better supported.

Cambridge Ultrasound Sibling and Parent Study (CUSP) and autism

This study uses 3D ultrasound to look at babies' brains in the womb, and then follows their development for 18 months after birth to see if markers found during gestation might predict autism.

Empathy and autism

The ARC began work in empathy studying 'theory of mind' (ToM) difficulties in autism, and has since developed a series of tests and teaching methods to aid the development of empathy. We are also studying the "double empathy problem".

EU policy research and autism: AIMS-2-TRIALS

The ARC’s primary aim within AIMS-2-TRIALS is to ensure that the diverse voices across the autism community are heard and that the project takes the community’s priorities and concerns seriously.

Mathematical ability and autism

Mathematicians are talented at systemising, a common trait in autism, and autism is more common among mathematicians than we might expect by chance. This study explores links between maths, autism and genes.

Neurexin 1 and autism

Mutation in NRXN1 is one of about 100 high confidence rare genetic variants that has been associated with autism, although it can cause a diverse range of conditions - or none at all. This study looks to understand this gene's actions.

Physical health and autism

We investigate if certain physical health conditions are more common in autistic people, exploring medical vulnerabilities and biological pathways which may be helpful in understanding autism.

Prenatal sex steroid hormones and autism

Prenatal sex steroid hormones (like testosterone and estrogen) are known to change behaviour, cognition, and brain structure and function. This longitudinal study follows babies to see how hormones in the womb affect their behaviour.

Screening and autism

The ARC pioneered early screening for autism at 18 months of age, using the Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (CHAT), and since then we have refined it and created new measures across the lifespan that measure autistic traits. In some cases, we have tested how sensitive and specific they are to autism.

Spectrum 10K

Spectrum 10K is the largest study of autism in the UK and is a research study involving 10,000 autistic individuals of all ages and abilities, and their relatives, living in the UK. The study aims to investigate the genetic and environmental factors that contribute to autism and co-occurring physical and mental health conditions.

Suicidality and autism

Rates of depression and anxiety are high in autistic people. This was the first large scale study to determine risk of suicidal behaviour in autistic adults.

The Autism and Talent Study

Exploring the brain basis of exceptional skills in autistic and neurotypical people. The aim of this study is to explore exceptional memory skills in both autistic and neurotypical people.

The Autism-CHIME Study

The Autism-CHIME study tests whether improvisational music therapy is helpful for autistic children aged 7-11 years old.