The ENIGMA Study.
Brooke McMullan is a Research Psychologist at the INFANT Research Centre at Cork University Hospital. The ENIGMA research study aims to understand how various factors like environment, diet, stress, and activity levels affect the mental health of autistic children. By examining these factors, the researchers hope to develop strategies and alert systems to support children and their families better when triggers occur.
They are currently recruiting autistic teenagers between the ages of 11-15 years old to participate in the ENIGMA study.
Who is it for?
• Adolescents clinically diagnosed with Autism.
• Must be able to interact verbally.
• Willingness to attend all study visits and wear a provided skin patch for 3-5 days, every month, at home for 6 months.
• Access to and ability to operate a smartphone.
What’s Involved:
Baseline Visit
• Discussion of study overview.
• Eligibility confirmation.
• Obtain Consent and Assent.
• Completion of baseline demographic questionnaire.
• Receive download and login details for phone app.
• Receive a pack with the Vivalink wearable device (the skin patch), instructional videos, phone app instructions, and urine/stool collection kit.
• Instructions on what to complete before Visit 1 including questionnaires.
There will be five study visits (including the baseline visit) over a six-month period and may include:
• Collection of stool and urine samples that were obtained at home (samples kits & instructions provided)
• Completion of assessments using various scales and tests.
• Checking physical measurements (e.g., Oral swab/blood pressure/height/weight).
• Checking multiple questionnaires were completed by parents/guardians (72 hrs prior to visits)
Please note that involvement in this study will require 5 on-site visits at the INFANT Research Centre in Cork University Hospital across a 6-month period.
For more information about the study, follow this link: https://www.infantcentre.ie/2025/08/06/enigma-study/
If you are interested in participating, or if you have any questions, please contact the research team at:
enigma@ucc.ie or phone: 086-143-6020
