Picture of brain
 
 We are currently recruiting legally independent adults who have completed a Direct to Consumer (DTC) genetic testing service (like 23andMetm, AncestryDNAtm, etc). The purpose of the study is to identify one or more genetic variants that may contribute to neurodevelopmental conditions like autism or ADHD, or attributes like creative tendencies and academic performance.
Click here to enroll today!

 

Picture of a DNA strand
Participation in this study will take approximately one hour and is entirely online. You can complete the study from the comfort of your home, you will have the option to complete the study all at once or in multiple sessions.

Participation in this study will take approximately one hour and is entirely online. You can complete the study from the comfort of your home, you will have the option to complete the study all at once or in multiple sessions.

Participation in this study will involve the following: 

  1. enrolling online
  2. uploading your DTC genetic data (instructions are included in the study)
  3. providing contact information 
  4. providing consent to allow us to access standardized test results like the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (if applicable)
  5. completing questionnaires (about family history of psychiatric conditions, creativity, academic achievement, and behavior)

As a thank you for your participation you will receive a unique piece of digital art generated from your genetic data.

If you have any questions about the study please reach out to a member of the research team via email michaelson-lab@uiowa.edu or phone (319) 335-8882.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will you notify me if you find any genetic results related to differences in brain development?

No, unfortunately the data provided by DTC genetic testing is not the same as clinical genetic testing. DTC genetic results can be prone to missing important regions of the genome relevant to disease or misreading your DNA. If we find a change in your genome that indicate you may be at a higher risk for a neurodevelopmental condition or disease we cannot disclose those results to you as they may be inaccurate.

What is genomic research?

Genomics is the study of a person’s genes, and how those genes interact with each other as well as with the person’s environment. The goal of genomic research is to determine how those interactions are related to complex diseases and disorders that are affected by both genetic and environmental factors. 

What is the role of genetics in neurodevelopmental conditions?

Multiple factors play a role in the development of autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions, but genetics appear to have the greatest effect. For example, less than 2% of children in the US have been diagnosed with autism, but if your sibling has autism then you have a ~20% chance of developing autism. If your fraternal twin has autism then you have a ~35% chance, and if your identical twin has autism then you have a ~70% chance. The influence of genetics in these neurodevelopmental conditions is clear, but the exact details are in the process of being determined.  

Can my child or another family member participate?

Only legally independent adults (at least 18 years old) who have completed DTC genetic testing can participate in this study. If you have a family member who meets that criteria and participates please let a member of the research team know so we can take that information into account when analyzing the results. (ASK JAKE ABOUT THIS ONE, probably not necessary for them to indicate relationships)

Will I be compensated for participating in this study?

Yes, everyone who uploads DTC genetic data and provides an email address will receive a piece of custom digital art made from their genetic information. You will be free to use this digital file as you please. (TIMELINE? EXAMPLE PIECE WE CAN INCLUDE HERE?)

What if I have completed multiple DTC genetic testing services?

Please contact a member of the research team, they will send you an additional online survey to upload all DTC genetic data files you have for yourself. If you have completed "AncestryDNAtm" or "23andMetm" please upload one of those files in the first online survey.

I'm having trouble downloading my DTC genetic data or uploading it to the online survey.

Please contact a member of the research team, we are happy to help you via email or phone to complete your participation in this study. Email: michaelson-lab@uiowa   Phone: (319) 335-8882